Tamil Nadu to observe Jayalalithaa birth anniversary as State Women and Children Safety Day

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government would observe February 24, the birth anniversary of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, as the State Women and Children Safety Day to remember the late leader’s noble service for the welfare of children, especially the girls, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Wednesday.
The chief minister announced in the assembly five schemes for the welfare of destitute girls. The state government would deposit Rs 2 lakh to each destitute girl child staying in government homes upon completion of 21 years, Palaniswami said. The amount would benefit the child while leaving home and embarking on a new life.
The state government give a special financial assistance to destitute girls when they leave a government home on completion of 18 years. The financial support will help them pursue higher education, skill development training, employment and self-employment. The assistance will continue till they complete 50 years.
Palaniswami announced enhancement of monthly maintenance support from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 to adopted parents of destitute girl children at government homes. “This support will continue for five years,” Palaniswami said.
The chief minister announced employment of destitute children from government homes in social welfare, social justice, ICDS departments, the categories of C and D, which would not fall in the purview of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. They would also be prioritised in jobs in noon meal centres and anganwadis.
Jayalalithaa had initiated a cradle baby scheme to curb female infanticide. The chief minister said the government would award gold, silver and bronze medals and certificates to three district collectorates who improve child sex ratio, given that ratio was lesser than the average in those districts.