The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Pensioners throng taluk offices for free saris

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 02, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Pensioners throng taluk offices for free saris

Staff Reporter

Though announced immediately after Deepavali, rain had kept them away

COLLECTING DOLES: Old-age pensioners waiting in a queue to receive free saris at Perambur Taluk office. Free dhotis and saris are being distributed in all the five taluk offices to old age pensioners and widows for Deepavali season. — Photo: V . Ganesan

CHENNAI : The Chennai Collectorate has been distributing free saris for State Government pensioners over the past few days, and scores of women thronged the five taluk offices of the city on Wednesday to collect the sari by producing the slip they received with last month's pension.

At Perambur taluk office, women formed long queues to collect the saris.

Though the distribution was announced immediately after the Deepavali festival, the rain and inclement weather had kept away the crowds.

But sunny weather over the last couple of days has brought women in large numbers to avail of the annual scheme. Women drawing pensions in three categories -- old age pension, widow's pension and physically-disabled pension -- are eligible for the saris. Perambur Tahsildar E.David Prabhu said there were an estimated 42,000 beneficiaries in his taluk alone.

Across the city, 1.8 lakh beneficiaries receive free saris under the government scheme every year.

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