Stage set for launch of three schemes on September 15

File photo shows AIADMK cadres campaigning with a mixie and a fan to highlight the party’s poll promises. The official machinery is gearing up for the launch of the AIADMK government's flagship schemes.

The official machinery is gearing up for the launch of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government's three flagship schemes on September 15 – free distribution of milch cows and goats/sheep, laptops, and mixies, wet grinders and fans.

Under the scheme for distributing milch cows and goats/sheep, administered by the State Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Department, 1,600 families each will be covered initially.

In five years, 60,000 milch cows and 28 lakh goats/sheep will be given. This year, 12,000 cows and six lakh goats/sheep will be given at the rates of one cow per family and four goats/sheep per family. Economically weaker sections of society are to be covered.

For the current year, the allocations for the schemes of milch cows and goats/sheep are Rs. 56 crore and Rs. 135 crore respectively. The procurement of animals for the first phase is nearing completion.

As for the laptop scheme, first of its kind in the country, the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu has finalised suppliers for 6,875 laptops on a short-term basis with revised specifications. HP and Acer are the two companies chosen for the purpose. For mass distribution, it has gone in for re-tender.

This year, the proposed number of laptops to be distributed is 9.12 lakhs to higher secondary students and students of government and government-aided colleges. A sum of Rs. 912 crore has been set apart this year.

As regards the scheme of mixies, wet grinders and fans, 18 suppliers have been selected by the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation. Fans will be supplied by four firms; mixies by six firms and grinders by eight firms. One company has been chosen for the supply of the three appliances.

There are a few firms that will provide two household items. The government has declared that it will provide the appliances for all rice-drawing family cards, which number 1.8 crore. This year, 25 lakh will be covered.

A sum of Rs. 5,430 is the finalised rate for each set of three appliances, of which the wet grinder component is around Rs. 3,040.

For the current year, the government has allocated a total of Rs. 2,353 crore for the three schemes.

The Department of Special Programme Implementation is coordinating with the departments and agencies concerned for the execution of the schemes.