Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Monday announced three free LPG cylinders a year for every family with an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh, as he unveiled a fresh set of freebies in the Assembly. Under the scheme, the cost of three LPG cylinders purchased by eligible beneficiaries will be directly credited to their bank accounts. The scheme is estimated to cost the state exchequer around Rs 4,000 crore annually.
“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 in the Assembly. Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in the run-up to the election, had promised of providing six free LPG cylinders a year.
Under the expanded scheme, women will be allowed to travel free not only on ordinary buses but also on Express, LSS and Deluxe services. The benefit will also be extended to 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. Women were allowed to travel only up to 40 km on ordinary and hilly-route buses in metropolitan and urban areas, while free travel was not available on Express, LSS, Deluxe and suburban services.
As per the expanded scheme, women can also travel free of charge on Express, LSS, and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas and also on regular fare buses in suburban (Mofussil) and hilly areas. “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 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, speaking in the Assembly, also reiterated his government’s decision not to proceed with the proposed airport at Parandur near Chennai, which has faced strong opposition from farmers’ groups and local residents. Vijay said his government stood firmly with residents who would be affected by the proposed airport project. He said farmers were the backbone of the country and stressed that the new airport should be built at a location where families would not be displaced or adversely affected.
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