A total 209 children in Erode district will receive a monthly financial assistance of ₹2,000 under the Tamil Nadu Government's Anbu Karangal scheme.
Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy launched the scheme at the Collectorate and distributed identity cards to children. The scheme was formally inaugurated in Chennai earlier in the day by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. It aims to support children who have lost both parents or are unable to be cared for by a surviving parent, ensuring they continue their education without interruption until the age of 18. Post-schooling, college education and skill development training will also be provided.
In Erode district, 209 children have been identified through field surveys and applications received at the Ungaludan Stalin camps. Beneficiaries include 90 children who have lost their parents, 74 abandoned children, 35 with a surviving but physically or mentally challenged parent, two with a surviving parent in prison, and eight whose surviving parent suffers from life-threatening illness. Mr. Muthusamy said the scheme was designed to uplift children in need of care and protection as part of the State's broader policy of universal brotherhood and poverty alleviation.
Collector S. Kandasamy, Rajya Sabha MP Anthiyur P. Selvaraj, Erode MP K.E. Prakash, Erode East MLA V.C. Chandrakumar, Mayor S. Nagarathinam, Deputy Mayor V. Selvaraj, District Child Protection Officer R. Umamaheswari, and senior officials were present.