Tamil Nadu Government Launches Comprehensive Survey of Welfare Programs Ahead of Elections

Statewide Survey to Assess Welfare Program Impact

In a significant administrative move ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to conduct a survey covering approximately 1.91 crore families across the state. This initiative aims to evaluate the extensive impact of its welfare schemes.

Set to commence in the new year, this extensive survey will last for 12 days and is designed to assess the reach and effectiveness of various government initiatives. A total of 55,706 members from self-help groups (SHGs) will be involved in gathering data at the household level in both urban and rural areas. The Public Welfare Department (Muthalvarin Mugavari) is coordinating this effort, which is expected to provide a comprehensive view of how beneficiaries are accessing government programs.

Utilizing E-Governance for Data Collection

According to an official order issued by Secretary Rita Harish Thakkar, the survey will utilize the beneficiary database created by the Tamil Nadu E-Governance Agency (TNEGA) to assess the distribution and effectiveness of welfare programs. The collected data will later be analyzed to enhance policy implementation and identify shortcomings in service delivery.

To oversee this process, a high-level monitoring committee has been established, comprising the Additional Chief Secretaries of the Rural Development and Revenue Departments, the Principal Secretary of the Information Technology Department, the CEO of TNEGA, and the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Women Development (TNCWD).

Funding and Participation Details

Official statistics indicate that Tamil Nadu has a total of 2.26 crore ration cards, with 89.03 lakh in urban areas and 1.37 crore in rural regions. Currently, 1.57 crore families are receiving one or more welfare benefits. The survey is expected to include around 1.90 crore families statewide. The government has allocated ₹43.52 crore for this initiative, with ₹21 crore earmarked for the Tamil Nadu Animal and Family Welfare Organization (TNCWD). Each member of the self-help groups (SHGs) will be assigned 30 families daily and will receive ₹6,000 as compensation for the 12-day survey period.