TN to distribute 30,000 TVs in September

The Tamil Nadu government is planning to purchase 30,000 colour television sets to distribute them among the poor families in the state. This is the first phase of the scheme for fulfilling one of the DMK's poll promises.

According to an official statement, 30,000 TVs would be purchased after floating a national-level tender, and would be distributed to the beneficiaries in September. The government would float tenders based on the guidelines recommended by a team of experts.

The first meeting of a committee, constituted by the Legislative parties to implement the scheme, was held today at the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, the release said.

Initially, the television sets will be given to families in 'samathuvapurams' (colonies for lower castes set up during the previous DMK regime) across all districts in the state.

TVs will also be distributed to tribals in Nilgiri district and to the families living in 'slum clearance board' houses in two areas of the city. In the initial phase, TVs will also be provided to people staying in rehabilitation centres.

In the second phase of the scheme, the state government would float a global tender for the purchase of colour television sets, the statement said.