Free reusable face masks to be distributed at PDS outlets in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: Free face masks will now be distributed at Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K Palaniswami, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu, announced on Monday, July 27. The scheme will initially be implemented in urban local bodies, including corporations, municipalities and town panchayats, excluding the Greater Chennai Corporation. The scheme will benefit nearly 69.1 lakh families and is aimed at supporting 6.7 crore members enrolled in 2.1 crore PDS cards in the state. 

K Kamaraj, Minister of Food, Government of Tamil Nadu, said that the civil supplies staff will distribute tokens at doorsteps on August 1, August 3 and August 4. Subsequently, cardholders can get the masks from August 5. According to an official release, the reusable masks have been procured at a cost of Rs 3.01 crore.