Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday (February 19, 2025) launched the distribution of cheques to the tune ₹3.75 crore to support 750 former prisoners taking up entrepreneurship.
Mr. Udhayanidhi handed over the cheques to former prisoners during an event organised in Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai by Tamil Nadu Discharged Prisoners Aid Society under the Prisons Department.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy CM recalled the initiatives undertaken by the DMK government for the betterment of prisons and towards the welfare of prisoners. “The government doesn’t consider prisons as places of punishment but as institutions for rehabilitation.”
Observing that some individuals might have received punishment over offences committed in a fit of rage or over various circumstances, Mr. Udhayanidhi said: “Let bygones by bygones. We should think that the coming days should be better.”
The Deputy CM called upon former prisoners to make use of the aid being distributed to them and make a future for themselves, keeping in mind only the interests and welfare of their family, friends, and relatives. “You should make use of this financial aid in the right way. Our government would stand by you in every way.”
Ministers S. Regupathy and P.K. Sekarbabu; Chennai Mayor R. Priya; Home Secretary Dheeraj Kumar; Director-General of Police Shankar Jiwal; Director-General of Prisons and Correctional Services Maheshwar Dayal; and senior officials were also present.
