Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday announced that women heads of households will receive three free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders every year under the newly formulated ‘Annapoorani Super 6’ scheme. The scheme will be launched from the upcoming Pongal festival in January.
The major welfare initiative, which has an estimated annual budgetary outlay of Rs 4,000 crore, is expected to benefit more than 1.30 crore eligible families across the state through a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
Scheme to cover economically weaker families
Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the scheme will cover households with an annual income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh, economically weaker sections, families of small and marginal farmers, and families of differently-abled persons.
Under the scheme, the cost of the cooking gas cylinder will be reimbursed and directly credited to the bank accounts of the female heads of families after booking and delivery, based on official billing records from oil marketing companies.
Government cites rising LPG costs
Highlighting the economic difficulties that led to the relief measure, the Chief Minister said global supply disruptions and rising prices caused by conflicts in the Gulf region had placed a severe financial burden on households over the past four months, forcing many families to turn to 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. Therefore, to benefit female heads of families, in the first phase, three free gas cylinders will be provided annually under the ‘Annapoorani Super 6’ scheme. Preparatory work has begun, and the scheme will be implemented from the upcoming Pongal festival in January with an annual allocation of approximately Rs 4,000 crore,” the Chief Minister said.
Focus on women’s empowerment
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment under the ‘Vetri Vision Document’, the Chief Minister said several targeted schemes, including the ‘Singa Pen’ special task force, ‘Thaimaman Thangamothiram’, ‘Vetri Magalir Adugal Valarppu’ and ‘Annanin Seer’ schemes, have already been allocated the necessary budgetary funds.
These initiatives are aimed at strengthening the safety, social progress and livelihood security of women across the state.
Free bus travel expanded under vetri payanam
Further strengthening social security and mobility, the Chief Minister also announced the ‘Vetri Payanam’ scheme, which will significantly expand free bus travel for women and transgender commuters from October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Under the expanded transport scheme, women and transgender persons will be able to travel free of cost on Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS) and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban centres.
To improve inter-district mobility, the benefit will also be extended to ordinary-fare buses operating across mofussil and hilly areas.
Rs 6,000 crore annual expenditure
The implementation of the ‘Vetri Payanam’ scheme is expected to cost the state exchequer approximately Rs 6,000 crore annually. The government also clarified that there will be no income ceiling or restriction on the number of trips under the scheme.
(with ANI inputs)
