Free LPG, expanded bus travel: Tamil Nadu CM announces major welfare measure

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday announced a major welfare package, including three free LPG cylinders every year for 1.34 crore families across the state.

Making the announcements under Rule 110 in the Assembly, Vijay said families with an annual income of up to ₹2.5 lakh, small and marginal farmers and other eligible households below the poverty line would be covered under the LPG scheme.

The government is expected to spend more than ₹4,000 crore annually on the programme. The cost of the three cylinders will be credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries, the chief minister said.

The government also announced an expansion of the existing free bus travel scheme for women. Under the ‘Vettri Payanam Thittam’, women will be allowed to travel free on inter-district ordinary buses as well as express and deluxe services. The expanded scheme will come into effect from October 2.

Vijay also announced that the proposed second airport at Parandur would be dropped. The state government is now working to identify an alternative location for the project.

The chief minister recalled his visit to Parandur last year, when he had expressed support for residents of Ekanapuram and neighbouring villages who were protesting against the airport project.

The latest announcements come as the Tamil Nadu government seeks to expand welfare support for households while addressing concerns surrounding major infrastructure project