Chief
Minister M.K. Stalin announced on Auguest 9th, 2024 that around 3.28 lakh male
college students in Tamil Nadu will receive ₹1,000 per month under the Tamil
Pudhalvan scheme, with a budget allocation of ₹360 crore for the year. The
scheme was launched in a ceremony at the 173-year-old Government Arts College,
attended by 6,500 students. The first instalment was credited to the
beneficiaries' bank accounts on Thursday night.
Mr. Stalin
made two key appeals: first, to work towards making Tamil Nadu a $1-trillion
economy, which would place the state on par with developed nations in terms of
infrastructure, and second, to ensure that every child pursues higher
education. He emphasized that students should not lose focus after completing
their school education and should strive to obtain jobs that match their educational
qualifications. This, he said, is his vision.
The Tamil Pudhalvan scheme is available to students pursuing higher education after studying Classes VI-XII in government and government-aided Tamil medium schools. It covers students in three-year courses at arts and science colleges, four-year engineering courses, five-year medical courses, and courses affiliated with medicine and law.
Mr. Stalin
referenced Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who overcame significant challenges
and earned widespread admiration, encouraging students to overcome obstacles
and aim for success, with victory eventually being theirs.
He
highlighted that his government has been implementing several schemes, such as
Tamil Pudhalvan and Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai, aimed at providing
comprehensive support to students. The Tamil Pudhalvan scheme was introduced in
response to concerns from male students who felt excluded when the Pudhumai
Penn scheme was launched. Mr. Stalin chose to launch the scheme in Coimbatore
due to the region's service-oriented population and numerous educational
institutions.
Discussing other government initiatives, he noted that under Vidiyal Payanam, women have taken 518 crore free trips on government buses; 1.15 crore women receive ₹1,000 per month under Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai; 20.73 lakh school students benefit from the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme; 3.28 lakh female students receive ₹1,000 per month under Pudhumai Penn; and 28 lakh students have received training under Mudhalvun.
BalaSarvesh
BM Correspondent Chennai