CHENNAI: TVK president Vijay on Saturday announced a slew of populist welfare promises for women his party would fulfil if elected to power in the coming Assembly elections.
Many of his promises were modelled around existing schemes, but with increased quantum of benefits and wider coverage to include more beneficiaries.
The key assurances include Rs 2,500 per month cash assistance to women head of families up to 60 years of age, as opposed to the present Rs 1,000 provided to eligible women heads of families, who meet certain socio-economic criteria under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT) scheme. Vijay said women employed with the state and union governments will not be eligible for the assistance.
Other schemes include six LPG cylinders free of cost under ‘Annapoorani Super Six Scheme’, free bus rides for women in all government buses under ‘Vetri Payanam Scheme’, Rs 15,000 per year as assistance to mother or guardian of children to ensure zero dropouts in schools under ‘Kamarajar Kalvi Uruthi Scheme’, eight grams gold along with a silk saree for women getting married under ‘Annan Seer Scheme’ and a golden ring along with a baby welcome kit for every newborn.
Addressing party functionaries at an event in Mamallapuram on the eve of International Women’s Day, he said, “These promises are just samples, and more will follow in the coming days.”
He acknowledged that some of the schemes he proposed were being implemented in a different form, but the implementation was not effective.
It may be recalled that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami had announced that his party would provide Rs 2,000 per month as cash assistance to women heads of families of all ration card holders. Subsequently, Chief Minister MK Stalin also said women under KMUT will receive Rs 2,000 per month if his party gets re-elected.
Vijay’s ‘Annan Seer Scheme’ is similar to the ‘Thalikku Thangam Scheme’ that the previous AIADMK government was implementing. It provided eight grams of gold and Rs 25,000 to women from low-income families getting married, provided they had completed high school. Palaniswami recently promised to provide silk sarees as well.
This scheme was, however, dropped and remodelled by the DMK government, which instead provided Rs 1,000 as monthly assistance to eligible girl students pursuing higher education, stating that this would directly encourage more girls to study rather than offering gold for marriage.
While Vijay promised six LPG cylinders per year, a promise made by AIADMK in 2021, Palaniswami had recently promised three LPG cylinders per year.
Vijay said his Vetri Payanam scheme will ensure bus rides free of cost in all government buses, unlike the Vidiyal Payanam Scheme of the incumbent government, which allows free travel on certain buses.
He said a separate department, which would be under his direct supervision, will be formed exclusively for the welfare of women, children and elderly. The Social Welfare and Women Empowerment department presently handles these besides other initiatives.
It may be noted that the AIADMK government in 2015 launched a scheme to provide baby care kit to newborns, similar to what Vijay announced on Saturday, although the former did not include a gold ring.
Assuring zero tolerance on crimes against women, Vijay said 500 special squads of women named after Velu Nachiyar, who will be in plainclothes with body cameras, will be formed to ensure safety in public places. Smart Panic buttons will be provided on public transport systems, including share autos, he said, adding that his party would ensure “zero dark spots” in public places.
He said though there are Mahila Courts, his party would form ‘Anjalai Ammal Fast-track Courts’ to ensure speedy trial in crimes against women. Sanitary pads will be provided free of cost to women, Vijay said, alleging that the present distribution of the same is not proper.
