The free schemes by theTamil Nadugovernment, which many continue to claim are regressive, are really schemes for social and Economic Development and has put the state above northern states on these two criteria, said minister for financeP T R Palanivel Thiagarajan.
Gold worth Rs 1.99 crore, weighing 4.38kg, was given to the beneficiaries. He said that the basic policy of the Dravidian movement was Equality in Education, wealth and job opportunities for Women.
The Average per capita income of a person in Tamil Nadu is Rs 2.5 lakh, whereas in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh it does not exceed Rs 75,000, he said. This is the reason why schemes like the Thalikku Thangam are implemented in the state.