Will the Stalin Government Conduct a Welfare Impact Survey Before the 2026 Assembly Elections?
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Synopsis
In a pivotal move ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the Tamil Nadu government will survey nearly 1.91 crore households to evaluate the effectiveness of its welfare schemes. This massive initiative, involving over 55,000 self-help group members, aims to refine policy implementation and enhance service delivery across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Survey to cover 1.91 crore households.
- Conducted by 55,706 members of SHGs.
- 12-day survey period starting in the New Year.
- Rs 43.52 crore allocated for the initiative.
- Survey aims to enhance the effectiveness of welfare schemes.
Chennai, Dec 30 (NationPress) In a significant administrative initiative ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections, the Tamil Nadu government has resolved to carry out a comprehensive impact evaluation of its welfare schemes by surveying nearly 1.91 crore households across the state.
This large-scale survey, designed to assess the reach and effectiveness of various government programs, will be executed over a span of 12 days starting in the New Year.
Conducted by 55,706 members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), the surveyors will traverse both urban and rural areas to gather household-level data. This initiative is coordinated by the Department of Public (Mudhalvarin Mugavari) and aims to provide a detailed overview of how government schemes are impacting beneficiaries on the ground.
According to a government directive issued by Reeta Harish Thakkar, Secretary to the Department, the survey will evaluate the delivery and impact of welfare programs utilizing beneficiary databases maintained by the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (TNeGA).
The information collected will be analyzed to refine policy implementation and identify service delivery gaps.
A high-level monitoring committee has been established to oversee this process. This committee comprises the Additional Chief Secretaries of the Rural Development and Revenue Departments, the Principal Secretary of the Information Technology Department, the Chief Executive Officer of TNeGA, and the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW).
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. Out of these, 1.57 crore households are currently benefitting from one or more welfare schemes.
The survey aims to encompass approximately 1.90 crore households statewide. The government has earmarked Rs 43.52 crore for this initiative, which includes Rs 21 crore allocated for the TNCDW. Each SHG member will be responsible for 30 households per day and will receive a compensation of Rs 6,000 for the entire 12-day survey.
Surveyors will be issued identity cards and will utilize a specialized mobile application developed by TNeGA, in addition to physical forms, for data collection.
Officials state that the outcomes of this survey will assist the government in evaluating ground-level results, optimizing welfare delivery, and enhancing the effectiveness of social protection programs in preparation for future policy decisions.
Point of View
The Tamil Nadu government's decision to conduct a widespread welfare impact survey is a commendable effort to enhance transparency and accountability. Engaging over 55,000 members of self-help groups demonstrates a commitment to grassroot participation, ultimately aiming to refine policy efficacy and improve the welfare of citizens.
NationPress
03/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the welfare impact survey?
The survey aims to evaluate the effectiveness and reach of Tamil Nadu's welfare schemes across approximately 1.91 crore households.
Who is conducting the survey?
The survey will be conducted by over 55,706 members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across both urban and rural areas.
What is the duration of the survey?
The survey is scheduled to take place over 12 days, starting at the beginning of the New Year.
How much funding has been allocated for the survey?
The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 43.52 crore for the survey initiative.
What will be done with the survey data?
The collected data will be analyzed to improve policy implementation and identify gaps in service delivery.
