Chief Minister’s Farmers Security Scheme, clarification on additional assistance

What the letter governs

Letter No. 47676தி,சி.I (2)/2011-4, issued by the Tamil Nadu Government Revenue Department on 4 October 2012, clarifies whether members of the Chief Minister’s Farmers Security Scheme can receive assistance for the same event from both the scheme and another government department. The clarification follows a request from the Commissioner of Land Reforms to issue instructions to all District Collectors.

The request referred to G.O. (Ms.) No. 265, Revenue Department, dated 10 September 2011. It asked whether additional scheme assistance could be paid for natural death, accidental relief and funeral expenses even when another department had already provided assistance.

Government decision

The Tamil Nadu Government examined the Commissioner of Land Reforms’ proposal and rejected it. The reasons recorded in the letter are:

• Paying assistance under the Chief Minister’s Farmers Security Scheme after another department has paid for the same event would give the beneficiary a double benefit.
• Similar requests could arise from other welfare schemes for unorganised workers.
• Providing assistance from two government schemes for one event was considered unacceptable.
• District Collectors were therefore not to be instructed to provide additional assistance under the scheme for accidental relief, natural death or funeral expenses where another department had already paid assistance.

The letter contrasts these benefits with educational assistance. It states that educational assistance under the scheme may be additional even where financial support for education has been received from another department.

Although marriage assistance and injury are mentioned in the subject, the recorded rejection specifically addresses accidental relief, natural death and funeral expenses.

Who is affected

Letter No. 47676தி,சி.I (2)/2011-4 affects members of the Chief Minister’s Farmers Security Scheme who seek government assistance following an accident, natural death or funeral. It also guides the Commissioner of Land Reforms and District Collectors responsible for administering the scheme.

Relevance to property matters

The Revenue Department clarification does not deal with land ownership, land ceilings, sale registration, patta or land use. Its practical effect is limited to welfare assistance under the Chief Minister’s Farmers Security Scheme, so it is relevant to eligible scheme members rather than property transactions.