Chennai, 05 July (H.S.): The Tamil Nadu government is taking steps to increase the monthly financial assistance provided under the Women’s Rights Entitlement Scheme from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500, Social Welfare and Women Rights Minister Jagatheeswari said on Sunday.

Addressing an eye screening camp organised in Rajapalayam to mark Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s birthday, the minister said the enhanced assistance would be extended to all eligible women across the state once the ongoing verification and implementation process was completed.

Jagatheeswari said the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government remained committed to fulfilling its electoral promises and ensuring that welfare benefits reached every deserving beneficiary. She added that the Women’s Rights Entitlement Scheme was currently providing Rs 1,000 every month to eligible women without interruption, while preparations were under way to implement the proposed increase.

The minister said the government had received a large number of fresh applications from women who had been left out of the scheme after applying during the previous administration. According to her, the review process had also uncovered instances of duplicate applications submitted by the same individuals.

She said a comprehensive verification exercise was being carried out to eliminate duplicate entries, correct discrepancies and ensure that only genuine beneficiaries were included under the scheme. The exercise, she added, was intended to make the implementation of the programme transparent, fair and inclusive, allowing every eligible woman in Tamil Nadu to receive the financial assistance.

Jagatheeswari also reiterated the government's commitment to a corruption-free administration. She said Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had made it clear that there would be not even one per cent corruption in the government and appealed to the public to report any official demanding bribes for public services.

If any complaint is found to be genuine, strict action will be taken without delay, she said, urging public cooperation to help build a transparent and accountable administration.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman