Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 24 DMK spokesperson Kanimozhi NVN Somu on Monday accused the Tamil Nadu government of deceiving people over the 'Annapoorani Super Six' scheme.
Speaking to ANI, Somu said, "Three cylinders have been promised, but that was not part of the manifesto. Six cylinders were mentioned in the manifesto. The people of Tamil Nadu have been deceived by the current government."
On Chief Minister Vijay's announcement that work on the Parandur Airport project would be dropped, Somu said the decision, if true, would be "very bad" as around 70 per cent of the land acquisition work has already been completed.
"If it is true, it is a very bad decision because 70 per cent of the land acquisition work has already been completed. They should reconsider it," she said.
Earlier in the day, CM Vijay announced that three free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders will be provided annually to women heads of households under the newly formulated 'Annapoorani Super 6' scheme, commencing from the upcoming Pongal festival in January.
The major welfare initiative, carrying an estimated annual budgetary outlay of Rs 4,000 crore, is set to benefit over 1.30 crore eligible families across the state through a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister stated that the scheme will cover households with an annual income not exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh, economically weaker sections, families of small and marginal farmers, and families of differently-abled persons. The cost of the cooking gas cylinder will be reimbursed and directly credited to the bank accounts of the female heads of families upon booking and delivery, based on the official billing from oil marketing companies.
Highlighting the economic challenges that prompted the relief measure, the Chief Minister noted that global supply disruptions and price escalations resulting from conflicts in the Gulf region had imposed a severe financial burden on households over the past four months, pushing many families toward alternative fuels.
"Considering this, even in a situation of financial constraint, our government has decided to provide the amount spent on gas cylinders to the public, aiming to reduce their financial burden, protect their welfare, and fulfil the promise made to them. Therefore, to benefit female heads of families, in the first phase, three free gas cylinders will be provided annually under the 'Annapoorani Super 6' scheme. Preparatory work has begun, and the scheme will be implemented from the upcoming Pongal festival in January with an annual allocation of approximately Rs 4,000 crore," the Chief Minister said.