Tamil Nadu Big Announcement: 3 Free LPG Cylinders Every Year, Free Bus Travel for Women and Transgender People
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced several welfare schemes in the Assembly on Monday. These include providing the cost of three LPG cylinders every year to economically weaker families and expanding the scope of free bus travel for women and transgender people.
LPG Benefit Under the ‘Annapoorani Super 6’ Scheme
Chief Minister Vijay announced the ‘Annapoorani Super 6’ scheme and said that the government will bear the cost of three LPG cylinders a year for eligible families. The scheme is expected to begin in January 2027 on the occasion of Pongal.
Under the scheme, instead of providing the cylinders directly for free, the amount will be transferred to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scheme is estimated to cost around ₹4,000 crore annually and is expected to benefit approximately 1.30 crore families.
Which Families Will Benefit?
Families with an annual income of up to ₹2.5 lakh will be primarily covered under the announced scheme. In addition, economically weaker sections, small and marginal farmers, and families with members with disabilities will also be included under the scheme.
Expansion of Free Bus Travel for Women and Transgender People
The Chief Minister also announced an expansion of the existing free bus travel facility for women. Transgender passengers will also be included under this facility.
Under the new arrangement, the scope of free travel in government buses will be expanded to different categories of bus services. The facility is reported to be implemented from October 2.
Government Focuses on Relief and Social Welfare
Considering the rising household cost of LPG, assistance for three cylinders is aimed at reducing the financial burden on the kitchen budgets of eligible families. At the same time, expanding the scope of free bus travel is expected to provide financial relief to women and members of the transgender community using public transport.
