Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay will launch a new system of ration card distribution on his birthday.

Chennai, June 15 (IANS). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is scheduled to launch the distribution of new ration cards across the state on June 22, his birthday. It is an important welfare initiative launched with the aim of increasing access to the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Food and Civil Supplies Department officials said that around 46,000 new ration cards have already been printed and are ready for distribution in the first phase.

These cards will be issued to eligible beneficiaries across Tamil Nadu as part of the ongoing process to settle pending applications and extend welfare benefits to more families.

The department has received about 2.25 lakh applications for new ration cards since January this year. Officials said that the work of scrutiny and verification of applications is going on and eligible applicants are being shortlisted for inclusion in the first phase of distribution.

A senior official of the department said that the implementation of the scheme will start soon and the beneficiaries will receive the cards in a phased manner.

Officials hope that additional batches of ration cards will be issued in the coming months after verification of the remaining applications.

Government sources have indicated that Vijay may formally inaugurate the program during a function in his assembly constituency Perambur on June 22. The Chief Minister is likely to hand over ration cards to selected beneficiaries in the program inaugurated.

This initiative is also important because this will be Vijay’s first birthday after taking over as the Chief Minister.

The ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) is preparing to organize several welfare programs and public relations activities across the state to celebrate the occasion.

Party officials in Perambur have planned several welfare initiatives in the week leading up to June 22 and the days following the festival. Similar programs are also expected to be organized by TVK units in various districts of Tamil Nadu.

–IANS

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