TN CM Stalin begins first innings with sops for Corona-affected, women

Free bus travel for working women from Saturday, Aavin milk to cost ₹3 less from May 16 and extension of insurance for COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals are some of the new CM’s first orders

Soon , Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on Friday, signed five files to implement major promises made in the DMK Assembly election manifesto, including offering ₹4,000 as COVID-19 relief to family cardholders, free travel in city buses (ordinary) for women and reducing the retail price of Aavin milk by ₹3 per litre from May 16. An official release said, Mr. Stalin, who reached his office in the Secretariat at Fort St George, ordered the implementation of financial assistance of ₹4,000 to each of the 2.07 crore rice ration card holders across the State, in view of the hardships they face due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance would be provided in two instalments and the first instalment of ₹2,000 would be given in May. The State government would incur an expediture of ₹4,153 crore towards this scheme.