Chennai. CM MK Stalin of the southern state of Tamil Nadu has announced huge financial assistance for women and has deposited Rs 5,000 in the bank accounts of 1.31 crore women beneficiaries under the ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai’ scheme. In a video message released in Chennai, he said that Rs 3,000 (Rs 1,000 per month) has been given in advance for the months of February, March and April, while an additional summer special assistance of Rs 2,000 has also been provided.
CM Stalin clarified that this is not just an election promise, but an honor for the social and economic contribution of women. He said that under his government’s ‘Dravidian Model 2.0’, if his party comes to power again, the current monthly assistance amount of Rs 1,000 will be increased to Rs 2,000. The tenure of the 234-member assembly in Tamil Nadu ends on May 10, 2026, and elections are scheduled for the first half of 2026. In the 2021 elections, the DMK-led alliance formed the government by winning 133 seats, while the AIMDMK got 66 seats.
The scheme was launched in September 2023 and initially 1.13 crore women benefited from it. Later its scope was increased to 1.31 crore women. The Stalin government says that this financial assistance is being given with the aim of making women self-reliant and contributing to the family income.
According to political analysts, the distribution of such a huge amount before the elections is being called ‘election ruckus’ by the opposition, while the ruling party is calling it a historic step towards women empowerment. Now it remains to be seen in which direction the support of women goes in the upcoming elections.