Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, on Sunday, announced free data card for 9.69 lakh students studying in government, government-aided and self-financed colleges across the state.

“Owing to COVID-19 pandemic spread, colleges were shutdown and classes are conducted through online. To ensure students participate in online classes without any interruption state government will provide free data cards to 9,69,047 students studying in government, government aided and self-financed arts and science, polytechnic and engineering colleges”, said Chief Minister, in a statement.

Tamil Nadu government is already providing free laptops to college students to ensure participation of online classes yet many students could not participate regularly due to high internet cost. Following demands from students community to provide free data to students, Chief Minister announced 2 GB per day of free data along with the free data card from January till April.

All the data cards will be supplied through Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (ELCOT).