T.N. CM Stalin announces new working women hostels in nine districts

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday (March 8, 2025) announced Thozhiyar Viduthi (hostels for working women) in Kancheepuram, Erode, Dharmapuri, Sivaganga, Theni, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ranipet, and Karur districts.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday (March 8, 2025) announced Thozhiyar Viduthi (hostels for working women) in Kancheepuram, Erode, Dharmapuri, Sivaganga, Theni, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Ranipet, and Karur districts. They are to be built at a cost of ₹72 crore.

Addressing a function organised on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Chief Minister said the women’s hostels established by the Tamil Nadu Working Women’s Hostels Corporation Limited (TNWWHCL) to provide accommodation for working women from different districts and States had received a good response.

The Chief Minister said the hostels in the districts would have 24-hour security, biometric validation for entry, wi-fi facilities, and drinking water purified through reverse osmosis.

Mr. Stalin also handed over 250 pink autorickshaws with GPS connected to the police helpline to women beneficiaries. He said: “The autorickshaws will provide employment and ensure the safety of women passengers in Chennai. The grant for the autorickshaws is ₹1 lakh,” he said.

The Chief Minister distributed identity cards to 1,000 members of Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), which would allow them to carry in buses 25 kg of products manufactured by the SHGs.

“The cardholders get benefits if they have been covered under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme and get priority while obtaining loans from co-operative societies. They will get a 5% rebate in Co-Optex showrooms, Avin goods for cheaper rate, and 10% rebate in service charge at e-Sevai centres,” he said.

Mr. Stalin, who released bank loans to 34,073 SHGs, said women should make use of this financial assistance and emerge as entrepreneurs. “I am encouraged by the performance of the members of the women police force and members of the SHGs and want to do more for the welfare of women. The mindset of male domination should disappear from society, and people should realise that woman are entitled to all rights. Do not ridicule or denigrate their progress in workplaces,” he said.