Distribution of freebies for beneficiaries in other municipalities would begin soon, said Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam.
Distributing free laptops to students at a function held at Victoria Memorial Government Higher Secondary School in Periyakulam on Monday, he said that free mixers, grinders and fans were distributed to all eligible beneficiaries in 22 town panchayats and 130 village panchayats. Around 12,000 beneficiaries received freebies in Periyakulam.
Despite a slump in tax revenue, the State government spent around 50 per cent of it for social security schemes. These schemes would not only benefit the present generation but also the future generations.
Introducing himself as a old student of the school, he said that: “In those days, we copied maps from atlas available with affluent students using oil paper. Now, colour atlas is given to all students. Distribution of free stationery materials and financial aid to students has wiped out disparities between rich and poor students. All government schemes were chalked out for the uplift of poor and the downtrodden,” he said.
With opening of more arts and science, polytechnic and engineering colleges and distribution of financial aid to students, admission to higher education had improved, he pointed out.
Mr. Paneerselvam had distributed laptops to 5,675 school students in Andipatti, Periyakulam and Theni unions.
“In those days, we copied maps from atlas available with affluent students using oil paper”
