Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s doorstep ration delivery scheme for senior citizens and persons with disabilities is facing operational strain, as cooperative societies say the government has not released funds meant to cover delivery-related expenses.
Ration shops across the state are run by various cooperative societies under the Cooperative Department. The scheme was introduced to help people who find it difficult to visit ration shops, including those aged above 70 and persons with disabilities.
The programme, launched in August 2025 by then Chief Minister M K Stalin, is intended to cover about 16.73 lakh beneficiaries. The annual cost was estimated at Rs 30.16 crore, with per-card delivery charges fixed at Rs 100 in hilly areas, Rs 40 in rural areas and Rs 36 in urban areas.
In addition, shop staff are paid Rs 100 per day for delivery work, typically for two days. Cooperative staff say these amounts have not been paid since the scheme began, even as societies are already under financial pressure.
They said more than Rs 10 crore has already been spent, and the pending subsidies for ration shop operations have also not been fully released. If funds are not provided soon, they warned that doorstep deliveries could face disruptions starting next month.
