Tamil Nadu offers women a major gift: three gas cylinders and a statewide expansion of the free bus travel scheme.

Tamil Nadu, Aug 25 (City News Mumbai)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a range of welfare schemes for the state’s citizens in the assembly. The announcements include extending the ongoing free bus‑travel scheme for women and providing eligible beneficiaries with three free kitchen gas cylinders each year.

Under the gas‑cylinder scheme, the amount for three cylinders will be directly deposited into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries annually. This will help eligible families reduce their cooking‑gas expenses.

Chief Minister Vijay also unveiled a new scheme called “Vettri Payanam.” Under this, women will enjoy free travel on express, LSS and deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas. Likewise, women will benefit from free travel on ordinary government buses running in rural and hilly districts.

The scheme is slated to take effect from 2 October. It will be launched on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. There will be no income ceiling to avail the scheme, and no restriction on the number of passengers for free travel. Third‑gender people will also be able to benefit.

Earlier, in the election manifesto, Chief Minister Vijay had promised several welfare schemes, including six free LPG cylinders per family per year, up to 200 units of free electricity, a monthly financial assistance of ₹2,500 for women over 60, and health insurance of up to ₹25 lakh per family.