Vijay announces 3 free LPG cylinders per family, free bus travel for transgenders

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Monday announced a fresh set of welfare measures in the Assembly, including three free LPG cylinders a year for families with an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh. The 'Annapoorani Super Six' scheme will be rolled out from Pongal 2027 and is expected to benefit around 1.30 crore families.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.Announcing the scheme, Vijay said the shortage of cooking gas cylinders caused by the prevailing war situation in the Gulf region, along with rising cylinder prices, had placed an additional financial burden on households."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.The Chief Minister also announced free bus travel for transgender persons and expanded the scope of the 'Vettri Payana Thittam' scheme for women. 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. The expanded scheme will be inaugurated on October 2.“Women’s freedom of travel serves as the foundation for their economic independence and the progress of their families,” Vijay said.He noted that under the existing free travel scheme, 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.“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.Considering this, the government has decided to expand the women's free travel scheme to benefit them on a large scale under the name 'Vetri Payanam' (Victorious Journey), which will be implemented starting October 2nd, on the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.VIJAY REITERATES OPPOSITION TO PARANDUR AIRPORTOn the proposed Parandur airport near Chennai, Vijay reiterated his opposition to the project and said he stood firmly with residents who would be affected by the proposed airport.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.Vijay said the government was examining alternative locations for the airport and that a few potential sites had already been identified.He also announced that a new Terminal 5 would be constructed at the existing Chennai airport in Meenambakkam.The TVK chief had earlier backed residents of Ekanapuram, who have opposed the Parandur airport project, and reiterated his party’s stand with the slogan, “No to Parandur airport.”- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Aug 24, 2026 10:11 IST