Tamil Nadu CM Vijay unveils free LPG cylinders, expanded free bus travel for women
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday announced a series of welfare measures in the state Assembly, including three free cooking gas cylinders per year for eligible households and an expansion of the existing fare-free bus travel scheme for women. The announcements are seen as a move to fulfill key election promises made by his party ahead of the assembly elections.
Under the new cooking gas scheme, the cost of three LPG cylinders will be credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries on an annual basis. This measure is aimed at easing the financial burden on households, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where LPG is a primary cooking fuel. The government has not yet specified the income criteria or the application process, but officials said details will be released soon.
The Chief Minister also launched the 'Vetri Payanam' scheme, an expansion of the state's free bus travel programme for women. Under this scheme, women will be allowed to travel free of charge on Express, LSS, and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas. For inter-district travel, the benefit will apply to ordinary-fare government buses in mofussil and hilly regions. The scheme will come into effect from October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Vijay stated that there would be no income ceiling or restriction on the number of trips under the free bus travel programme. Transgender persons are also eligible for the benefit, making the scheme inclusive. “No riders like income ceiling or number of trips for women to avail fare-free bus travel,” he added, stressing the government's commitment to accessible public transport.
The announcements follow the Chief Minister's earlier outline of welfare measures in his election manifesto, which included six free LPG cylinders per family annually, 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. While the latest announcement covers only three cylinders, officials indicated that the remaining promises would be phased in over time.
These measures are expected to benefit a large section of the population, particularly women and low-income households. However, the government has not yet provided a detailed cost estimate or funding mechanism for the schemes. Political analysts note that the implementation will be closely watched, given the state's fiscal constraints.
The state government has urged eligible citizens to ensure their bank accounts are linked with the relevant departments for direct benefit transfers. Further guidelines on enrollment and verification are expected in the coming weeks. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters praising the welfare focus while critics question the feasibility of such expansive programmes.
