Rural areas will be covered initially under the State government's scheme of free distribution of electric fans, mixies and wet grinders, M.C. Sampath, Special Programme Implementation Minister, told the Assembly on Thursday.
The distribution in Town Panchayats, Municipalities and Municipal Corporations would be taken up subsequently, he said, initiating the debate on the demands for grants to his department.
Beneficiaries
The scheme would be applicable to nearly 1.85 crore women beneficiaries from those households with rice-drawing family cards [as on June 30].
This year, 25 lakh households would be covered. For this purpose, a sum of Rs.1,250 crore had been earmarked.
The distribution would be done by the Revenue Department under the overall control of the District Collectors in the districts and the Corporation Commissioner in Chennai.
To ensure proper working of the appliances, the suppliers would set up Service and Maintenance Centres at taluk level.
Distribution of laptops
As for the scheme of distribution of laptops, 12th standard students, first and third-year students of arts and science colleges and polytechnics, and second and fourth-year students of engineering colleges would receive the laptops this year.
In the next academic year, third-year students of arts and science colleges, first and third-year students of polytechnics, and second and fourth-year students of engineering colleges would be covered, apart from 12th standard students. During 2013-2014, 12th standard students and first-year students of polytechnics would get the laptops, he added.
