Chennai, June 15 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is expected to launch the distribution of new ration cards across the state on June 22, coinciding with his birthday, marking a major welfare initiative aimed at expanding access to the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Officials in the Food and Civil Supplies Department said around 46,000 new ration cards have already been printed and are ready for distribution in the first phase.

The cards will be issued to eligible beneficiaries across Tamil Nadu as part of an ongoing exercise to clear pending applications and extend welfare benefits to more families.

The department has received nearly 2.25 lakh applications for new ration cards since January this year. Officials said scrutiny and verification of applications are progressing, with eligible applicants being shortlisted for inclusion in the first phase of distribution.

A senior department official said the rollout would begin shortly and beneficiaries would receive the cards in a phased manner.

Authorities expect additional batches of ration cards to be issued in the coming months as verification of the remaining applications is completed.

Government sources indicated that Vijay is likely to formally inaugurate the programme during a function in Perambur, his Assembly constituency, on June 22. The Chief Minister is expected to hand over ration cards to a select group of beneficiaries at the launch event.

The initiative assumes added significance as it will be Vijay’s first birthday after taking office as Chief Minister.

The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is preparing a series of welfare programmes and public outreach activities across the state to mark the occasion.

Party functionaries in Perambur have reportedly planned several welfare initiatives during the week leading up to June 22 and in the days following the celebrations. Similar programmes are expected to be organised by TVK units in districts across Tamil Nadu.

While the launch is likely to attract political attention because of its timing, government officials stressed that the ration card distribution drive is part of a regular administrative exercise. The objective, they said, is to ensure that eligible families gain access to subsidised food grains and other welfare benefits linked to the PDS. With more than two lakh applications pending, the government is expected to continue issuing new ration cards in phases, enabling thousands of households to be brought under the state’s welfare network.

–IANS

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