Sunday, December 25 2005 15:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Expanding the 'Annadhanam' (free poor feeding) scheme, now being implemented in select temples and mosques, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today (Dec 25, 2005) launched it in seven select churches in different parts of the state, coinciding with the Christmas celebrations.

In the SISWA prayer church in Anna Nagar area in the city, Jayalalithaa launched the scheme by feeding the poor herself.

Later, in an informal chat with newsmen, she said that the scheme was launched by her in 2002 in temples, which now covers 180 temples in the state. It was later expanded to 12 dargahs all over Tamil Nadu. Now the scheme was being extended to cover seven churches in various parts of the state.

"Gradually, this scheme will be extended to cover more temples, more dargahs and churches", she said.

In the first phase, besides Anna nagar in the city, the scheme is being launched in Pothanur and Kuniamuthur in Coimbatore district, Roman Catholic church in Namakkal district, New Life Church at Arapalayam in Madurai district, SISWA prayer house at Varshanadu in Theni district and New Life Church at Manickampalayam in Erode district.