Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Monday announced that families with an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh will receive the cost of three LPG cylinders every year under a new welfare scheme. The ‘Annapoorani Super Six’ scheme will be launched from Pongal 2027 and is expected to cover around 1.30 crore families.

Vijay also announced free bus travel for transgender persons and expanded the existing free travel scheme for women to include additional categories of buses and inter-district services. The LPG scheme is expected to cost the state government around Rs 4,000 crore annually, while the expanded women’s travel scheme will involve an additional annual expenditure of Rs 6,000 crore.

Three LPG Cylinders Free Under New Scheme

Under the ‘Annapoorani Super Six’ scheme, eligible families will receive a direct bank transfer covering the cost of three LPG cylinders purchased during the year.

Announcing the initiative in the Assembly, Vijay cited rising LPG prices and shortages linked to the prevailing war situation in the Gulf region as factors that had increased the financial pressure on households.

“Keeping this in mind, even during a financially constrained situation, in order to lighten the financial burden on the public, protect their welfare, and fulfil the promise made to the people, the government has decided to provide them with the amount spent towards cooking gas cylinders,” he said.

The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 1.30 crore families and will place an estimated annual burden of Rs 4,000 crore on the state exchequer.

Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had promised six free LPG cylinders a year in its election manifesto.

Free Travel Expanded For Women And Transgender Persons

The Chief Minister also announced free bus travel for transgender persons and a major expansion of the ‘Vettri Payana Thittam’ scheme for women.

Under the revised scheme, women will be able to travel free of cost on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses in addition to ordinary services. The benefit will also cover inter-district bus services.

“Women’s freedom of travel serves as the foundation for their economic independence and the progress of their families,” Vijay said.

The expanded scheme will be implemented from October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Expanded Scheme To Cover More Bus Services

Under the existing free travel arrangement, women were allowed to travel up to 40 km on ordinary and hilly-route buses in metropolitan and urban areas. The benefit did not extend to Express, LSS, Deluxe or suburban services.

The expanded programme will allow women to travel free on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas. It will also cover regular-fare buses in suburban, or Mofussil, and hilly areas.

Vijay said the expansion was aimed at ensuring that transportation costs did not prevent women from accessing opportunities across the state.

“This government holds as its primary vision the principle of social justice that no woman residing in any part of Tamil Nadu should lose her opportunities due to transportation costs,” he said.

The expanded travel programme is expected to cost the state an additional Rs 6,000 crore every year.

Vijay Reiterates Opposition To Parandur Airport

Vijay also reiterated the Tamil Nadu government’s decision not to proceed with the proposed airport at Parandur near Chennai, a project that has faced opposition from farmers and local residents.

He said the government stood with residents who could be affected by the project and maintained that farmers should not be displaced for the construction of a new airport.

“The site for the new airport should be chosen in a manner that minimises the impact on farmers and avoids the displacement of large residential areas. However, the previous government pursued a site that would have severely affected farmers and displaced several residential habitations,” he said.

Vijay said the government was examining alternative locations for the airport and that several potential sites had already been identified.

He also announced plans to construct a new Terminal 5 at the existing Chennai airport in Meenambakkam.

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