Minister launches Pudhumai Penn scheme, distributes debit cards

CHENGALPATTU: Minister for Rural and Cottage Industries, Small Industries, Slum Clearance Board TM Anbarasan on Tuesday launched the “Pudhumai Penn Thittam ‘’ under the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Memorial Higher Education Scheme.

On behalf of the Department of Social Welfare and Women’s Rights in Chengalpattu district, the Minister also distributed debit cards to higher secondary students in the presence of MLA Varalakshmi and district Collector Rahulnath.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister said, “Woman education is the backbone of society and when a woman is educated, she becomes the source of progress to her home and the country.” He noted that following in the footsteps of former chief ministers Anna and Karunanidhi who were keen on spearheading women education, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has launched the ‘Puthumai Penn Thittam’ so many women can benefit from it.

In the first phase, 2,381 students were selected under this scheme in Chengalpattu district. The Minister distributed debit cards to 694 students belonging to 12 colleges in the district. The students were also given a kit bag containing books on financial guidance and business management along with the ATM card. Details of the ATM card activation would be sent to them on their mobile phones.

Apart from this, Minister Anbarasan also flagged off the battery operated stretchers and ambulance that were donated to the Medical College Hospital as part of a private company’s CSR activity.