Cheques to the value of Rs 2.08 crore were distributed to 89 villages in Sivaganga, Tiruppuvanam, Ilayankudi, S. Pudur and Kannangudi panchayat unions for undertaking poverty eradication programmes under the ‘Pudu Vazhvu’ scheme here on Thursday.

Collector V. Rajaraman, who gave away the cheques to representatives of village poverty eradication committees, said that the scheme was being implemented in the first phase in five panchayat unions of Sivaganga district.