Welfare bonanza in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday made a string of announcements in the state Assembly, fulfilling key electoral assurances of his party, the TVK. The measures include three free cooking gas cylinders a year for eligible women heads of households and an expansion of the existing fare-free bus travel scheme for women and transgender persons.

Vijay also declared that the Parandur greenfield airport project will be shelved, citing strong opposition from farmers who did not wish to part with their farm lands.

Free LPG cylinders under 'Annapoorani Super 6'

Under the newly formulated 'Annapoorani Super 6' scheme, the cost of three LPG cylinders will be reimbursed and directly credited to the bank accounts of the female heads of families upon booking and delivery, based on official billing from oil marketing companies. The scheme is set to commence from the upcoming Pongal festival in January.

The initiative carries an estimated annual budgetary outlay of Rs 4,000 crore and is set to benefit over 1.30 crore eligible families, according to reports. The scheme will cover households with an annual income not exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh, economically weaker sections, families of small and marginal farmers, and families of differently-abled persons.

Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister highlighted the economic challenges that prompted the relief measure, noting that global supply disruptions and price escalations resulting from conflicts in the Gulf region had imposed a severe financial burden on households over the past four months, pushing many families toward alternative fuels. "Considering this, even in a situation of financial constraint, our government has decided to provide the amount spent on gas cylinders to the public, aiming to reduce their financial burden, protect their welfare, and fulfil the promise made to them," he said.

Expanded free bus travel under 'Vetri Payanam'

Vijay also announced the launch of the 'Vetri Payanam' scheme, expanding the existing fare-free bus travel programme for women. Under the new scheme, women will be able to travel free on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas. For inter-district travel, the benefit will cover ordinary-fare government buses in mofussil and hilly areas.

The scheme, which comes into effect from October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, will have no income ceiling or restriction on the number of trips. "No riders like income ceiling or number of trips for women to avail fare-free bus travel," Vijay said. Transgender persons will also be eligible for free travel.

The existing free bus scheme, launched by the previous DMK government, allowed women to travel free within their respective districts. The TVK government is now extending this benefit to inter-district travel.

The transport scheme is estimated to incur an annual expenditure of approximately Rs 6,000 crore for the state exchequer.

Parandur airport shelved

In a significant move, Vijay announced that the Parandur greenfield airport project will be shelved. The project had been strongly opposed by farmers who did not wish to part with their farm lands. No further details on the decision were provided.

Context: Earlier welfare measures

Vijay had earlier outlined several welfare measures in his election manifesto, including six free LPG cylinders a year for every family, up to 200 units of free electricity, a monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 for women below the age of 60, and family health coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh. The latest announcements build on those promises, with the CM taking responsibility for fulfilling them despite financial constraints.