Chennai, Aug 24:
Chief Minister Vijay on Monday announced two major welfare measures for women — three free LPG cylinders a year under the Annapoorani Super Six scheme and the expansion of the free bus travel programme to all government buses across Tamil Nadu.
The announcements were made in the Assembly under Rule 110, with Vijay saying the LPG assistance would begin from Pongal and the expanded free bus travel scheme would be introduced from October 2.
Under the Annapoorani Super Six scheme, women will initially receive the benefit of three free LPG cylinders every year. Instead of physically distributing cylinders, the government will directly credit the corresponding amount into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
The announcement represents the first implementation of the larger LPG-related promise made by the TVK during the 2026 Assembly election.
The party’s election manifesto had promised six free LPG cylinders a year. The government has now chosen to introduce the scheme in phases, beginning with three cylinders annually.
The Chief Minister said the three-cylinder scheme would come into operation from Pongal. Another report on the Assembly announcement said the government would allocate Rs 4,000 crore annually for the scheme, with the cylinder amount credited directly to beneficiaries.
The LPG announcement assumes significance at a time when cooking gas prices and household expenses have become a major concern for families. Direct benefit transfer is expected to allow beneficiaries to receive the assistance without the government having to physically distribute cylinders.
Free travel expanded
Vijay also announced a major expansion of the existing free bus travel facility for women.
Under the new Vettri Payanam scheme, women will be able to travel free of cost in government buses throughout Tamil Nadu from October 2.
The scheme will not have an income ceiling, and there will be no restriction on the number of journeys a woman can undertake.
The expanded facility will cover government buses operating in cities and towns and will also extend to deluxe buses.
The government has estimated that the expanded free travel programme will cost approximately Rs 6,000 crore a year.
The announcement significantly broadens the scope of the existing free travel arrangement, which has been available to women on specified government city and town bus services.
Under the new system, the benefit is intended to cover women travelling on government buses across the State, removing both income-based restrictions and limits on the number of journeys.
The government is positioning the scheme as a measure to reduce the daily financial burden on women, particularly those who depend on public transport for employment, education, healthcare and other essential travel.
Major welfare push
The two announcements together represent a major welfare push by the Vijay government focused on reducing household expenditure and improving women’s mobility.
While the LPG scheme is aimed at cutting cooking fuel expenses, Vettri Payanam is designed to reduce transportation costs.
The announcements also come against the backdrop of the TVK government’s effort to implement its election promises in stages.
The party had made several significant commitments to women in its manifesto, including financial assistance, free LPG cylinders and expanded free public transport.
The latest announcements therefore give concrete timelines for two of the prominent promises.
The government will now have to work out the detailed eligibility and implementation mechanism for the LPG benefit, while the Transport Department and State transport corporations will have to prepare for the financial and operational implications of extending free travel across a much wider network.
The two schemes are expected to become among the most visible welfare measures of the new government, particularly because their benefits will directly affect household budgets and women’s daily mobility.