More colour TVs for poor, sets to be procured for fifth phase

Chennai, Nov 5 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said 40 lakh colour Television sets would be procured for distribution to poor people, under the fifth phase of the free CTV scheme, one of its populist poll promises that helped the DMK to capture power in the 2006 Assembly polls.

A decision to this effect was taken at the 16th meeting of the representatives of the legislature parties held at the state secretariat.

Mr Karunanidhi said the meeting, apart from deciding to procure 40 lakh Colour TVs under the fifth phase, also decided to procure additional 8,37,500 Colour TVs under the fourth phase, for distribution to the poor.

The Chief Minister said international bids would be invited for procurement during the first week of this month. The bids would be opened by the middle of the month and finalised during the third week of December.

The fifth phase of distribution would commence in February 2010, Mr Karunanidhi said, adding technical specifications followed for the fourth phase would be adopted for the fifth phase also.

The scheme was launched during Anna's birth anniversary on September 15, 2006. Since then in four phases, 1,04,42,500 Colour TV sets were sanctioned at a cost of Rs 2267.87 crore. Of this, 85,15,343 families were given free Colour TVs at a cost of Rs 2036.69 crore and the balance was being distributed to the poor.

The Chief Minister also said during the first phase, 30,000 CTVs, 25 lakh during the second phase and 37,50 lakh were distributed during the third phase.

During the fourth phase, 41,62,500 sets were procured and 26,81,899 sets were sent to the District Collectors till October 31 this year for distribution to the beneficiaries, he added.

--UNI

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