Stalin announces Rs 5,000 transfer to 1.3 crore women ahead of TN polls
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday announced that Rs 5,000 has been credited to the bank accounts of 1.3 crore women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme in the poll-bound state.
The amount includes advance disbursal of the monthly entitlement of Rs 1,000 for February, March, and April, along with a one-time special summer assistance of Rs 2,000.
The announcement comes ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, which are expected to be held in April or May for the 234-seat House.
In a video message posted on social media, Stalin said there were attempts to stop the release of the funds for three months because of the elections. He alleged that a group in Delhi and another in Tamil Nadu had tried to stall the payments, but said his government had overcome those efforts. He said the transfer was an assurance given to the women of Tamil Nadu and that he would not step back despite obstacles.
Stalin also announced that the monthly entitlement under the scheme would be increased to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1,000 if the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam returns to power.
The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme was launched in September 2023 with a monthly assistance of Rs 1,000, initially covering 1.1 crore women. The coverage was later expanded to 1.3 crore beneficiaries across the state.
The announcement follows a competing promise from the opposition All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam, which released the first phase of its election manifesto on January 17 and pledged a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 for women under its proposed Kula Vilakku scheme.