Tamil Nadu CM Vijay announces 3 LPG cylinders, free bus travel for women, transgenders

TN CM Vijay announces 3 free LPG cylinders, expands free bus travel for women

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday announced a set of welfare measures in the state Assembly, including three free cooking gas cylinders a year for eligible beneficiaries and an expansion of the fare-free bus travel scheme for women.Under the cooking gas scheme, the amount for the three cylinders will be credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.Vijay announced the launch of the Vetri Payanam scheme, expanding the existing fare-free bus travel programme for women across the state.Under the scheme, women will be allowed to travel free of charge on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas.

For inter-district travel, the benefit will cover ordinary-fare government buses in mofussil and hilly areas.The scheme will come into effect from October 2, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Vijay said there would be no income ceiling or restriction on the number of trips under the programme. Transgender persons will also be eligible for free travel.

"No riders like income ceiling or number of trips for women to avail fare-free bus travel," Vijay added.

Vijay had earlier outlined several welfare measures in his election manifesto, including six free LPG cylinders a year for every family, up to 200 units of free electricity, a monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 for women below the age of 60, and family health coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh.