Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Monday made a series of announcements in the State Assembly under Rule 110, including a new benefit under the “Annapoorani Super Six” scheme and a major decision on the proposed Parandur airport.
Citing the last four months of war-like conditions in the Gulf region, the Chief Minister said there has been a shortage of cooking gas cylinders, forcing people to rely on alternative fuels or pay higher prices. To reduce the financial burden on households, the government will provide three free LPG cylinders per year in the first phase of the scheme, with the amount credited directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
The government said 1,30,16,104 families are expected to benefit. Eligibility will include families with annual income up to Rs 2.50 lakh, small and marginal farmer households, families of persons with disabilities, and other economically vulnerable sections. Preparatory work has begun, and the scheme is slated to be rolled out from Pongal in January, with an annual allocation of Rs 4,000 crore.
On infrastructure, the Chief Minister announced that the Chennai Parandur airport project will be scrapped and that a new location will be decided soon. He also said the Meenambakkam airport will be upgraded.
He further announced an expansion of the “Vetri Payanam” free travel scheme for women. From October 2, women will be allowed to travel free on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses in city and urban areas, and also on ordinary-fare buses in suburban and hilly regions for inter-district travel. The government estimated an annual expenditure of Rs 6,000 crore for this expansion, with no income cap or limit on the number of trips, and said transgender persons will also be covered.
