CHENNAI: Steering his administration’s “Vetri Vision Document” into high gear, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Monday announced three free LPG cylinders annually for over 1.3 crore economically vulnerable families across Tamil Nadu.Unveiling the scheme under Rule 110 in the Assembly, the CM framed the decision as a direct buffer against rising household expenses triggered by the ongoing four-month Gulf conflict and subsequent fuel supply shocks.The policy will cover 1,30,16,104 households, specifically targeting families with annual incomes below Rs 2.5 lakh, small and marginal farmers, and households with persons with disabilities.Under the implementation framework, beneficiaries will purchase cylinders upfront directly from oil marketing companies, with the full subsidy amount credited to their linked bank accounts upon generation of the receipt, the CM said.The state has earmarked an annual expenditure of Rs 4,000 crore to fund the massive subsidy drive.Preparatory groundwork for the scheme has already commenced, with the official rollout scheduled for the upcoming Pongal festival in January next year. The initiative represents the first phase of TVK’s electoral promises under the “Annapurna Super Six” banner, which had guaranteed six free cylinders per family annually.The latest announcement adds to the government’s expanding suite of targeted social welfare measures, following the recent rollouts of the Singapen Special Task Force, Thaimaman Gold Ring, Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing and Annanin Seer schemes.
