Chennai, July 10:
The TVK government appears to have dropped the word “Vidiyal” (Dawn) from the previous DMK regime’s flagship Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme, with State-run buses now displaying the scheme simply as Magalir Payanam. The change, noticed on Thursday, has triggered speculation, though the government has made no official announcement regarding any renaming.
The shift came to light after digital boards on Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses, which earlier carried the full name Magalir Vidiyal Payanam, were seen showing only Magalir Payanam. Images of the revised signage quickly circulated on social media, with many interpreting it as the latest move by the TVK government to rebrand a welfare initiative introduced by the previous DMK administration.
When questioned about the development, Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban stopped short of confirming any formal change. Responding to repeated queries on whether “Vidiyal” had been removed, he reiterated, “It is Magalir Payanam,” and emphasised that the scheme continues to provide free bus travel for women. However, he did not clarify the reason behind the altered signage.
The scheme was originally launched in 2021 by the DMK government on the first day after former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin assumed office. It allows women to travel free of cost on ordinary government buses and has since been widely utilised across the State.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced plans to introduce a new initiative titled Vetri Payanam (Victory Journey), which would extend free travel benefits to women across all categories of government buses. However, the proposed scheme is yet to be rolled out.
In the absence of an official statement, the change in display has added to the ongoing debate over whether the government is quietly rebranding an existing welfare programme or preparing the ground for a broader overhaul of the scheme.