Jayalalithaa distributes free gold, rice

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has ordered distribution of free rice to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and gold to women, living up to one of her main poll promises.

On her first day as chief minister, Jaya said 20 kg of free rice will be distributed every month to ration card holders and 35 kg to BPL families.

Jaya ordered distribution of gold for ?magalsutras? for women and also doubled marriage assistance to the poor from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.

She also doubled old-age pension to Rs 1000 and hiked maternity leaves of government staff from three to six months.

Financial assistance to fishermen was also doubled to Rs 2,000.

Jaya said she has set up a new ministry-Special Programme Implementation-that will look into fulfilling her poll promises.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for the third time on Monday, after winning a thumping majority in the state assembly elections.

The iron lady of Tamil Nadu was administered the oath of office and secrecy in Tamil by Governor Surjit Singh Barnala at the Madras University Centenary Hall here, amid chants of her party workers and leaders for their loved Amma.

A total of 33 other ministers also took oath of office.