Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday announced that women heads of households will receive three free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders every year under the newly formulated ‘Annapoorani Super 6’ scheme. The scheme will be launched from the upcoming Pongal festival in January.
The major welfare initiative, which has an estimated annual budgetary outlay of Rs 4,000 crore, is expected to benefit more than 1.30 crore eligible families across the state through a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the scheme will cover households with an annual income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh, economically weaker sections, families of small and marginal farmers, and families of differently-abled persons. Preparatory work has begun, and the scheme will be implemented from the upcoming Pongal festival in January with an annual allocation of approximately Rs 4,000 crore,” the Chief Minister said.
Therefore, to benefit female heads of families, in the first phase, three free gas cylinders will be provided annually under the ‘Annapoorani Super 6’ scheme.
Highlighting the economic difficulties that led to the relief measure, the Chief Minister said global supply disruptions and rising prices caused by conflicts in the Gulf region had placed a severe financial burden on households over the past four months, forcing many families to turn to alternative fuels. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment under the ‘Vetri Vision Document’, the Chief Minister said several targeted schemes, including the ‘Singa Pen’ special task force, ‘Thaimaman Thangamothiram’, ‘Vetri Magalir Adugal Valarppu’ and ‘Annanin Seer’ schemes, have already been allocated the necessary budgetary funds. The government has decided to provide the cost of the cooking gas cylinders,” said chief minister Vijay in Tamil Nadu Assembly.
“Considering this, even in a situation of financial constraint, our government has decided to provide the amount spent on gas cylinders to the public, aiming to reduce their financial burden, protect their welfare, and fulfil the promise made to them. Under the expanded transport scheme, women and transgender persons will be able to travel free of cost on Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS) and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban centres. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the household expenditure of the families.
Earlier reporting noted: Under the scheme, the Tamil Nadu government will provide six free LPG cylinders to every eligible family every year. Earlier reporting noted: “This will reduce the burden of the people who have been spending extra amount to obtain the cylinders. Earlier reporting noted: Families in Tamil Nadu will receive six free LPG cylinders every year under the Vijay government’s new initiative.
