6 free LPG cylinders per year, Rs 2,500 aid for women: TVK's welfare-heavy manifesto

Actor-politician Vijay on Thursday unveiled a sweeping and welfare-heavy manifesto for his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which included a Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 grams of gold for poor brides and six free LPG cylinders a year, per family, ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.

Calling it an “honest guarantee”, Vijay said his party would not “deceive” voters with last-minute promises. “Apart from colour change, they’ve done nothing,” he said, attacking the DMK and AIADMK.

“If one gives Rs 10,000, the other gives Rs 8,000. If one gives a fridge, the other gives a coupon. Both have the same manifesto with just different names and colours,” he added.

At the heart of TVK’s pitch is a strong focus on women. The party promised Rs 2,500 per month to every female head of household below 60 years, six free LPG cylinders annually per family, and one sovereign (8 grams) of gold along with a silk saree for poor brides. It also proposed interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for women’s self-help groups.

To tackle school dropouts, Vijay promised Rs 15,000 annually to mothers or guardians of children studying in government or aided schools. The manifesto also outlines ambitious education reforms, including setting up 100 “Kamarajar Schools of Excellence” in each district, free residential schools, and collateral-free education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The party further promised an Artificial Intelligence Ministry, AI University and AI City.

On healthcare, TVK pledged universal health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh per family, free annual check-ups, affordable medicines and a “drug-free Tamil Nadu” campaign.

For youth, the party promised monthly unemployment assistance – Rs 4,000 for graduates and Rs 2,500 for diploma holders – along with five lakh internships annually. The manifesto also pledged to create five lakh government jobs and offer collateral-free loans up to Rs 25 lakh for young entrepreneurs.

A “Chief Minister’s People’s Service Friend” scheme aims to employ five lakh youth at Rs 18,000 per month to deliver services at the doorstep, the manifesto said.

Farmers have been promised a full waiver of crop loans for those owning less than five acres and a 50 per cent waiver for larger landholders. The manifesto also proposes MSPs of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane, along with 100 per cent crop insurance and free solar pump sets.

For fishermen, TVK has promised Rs 27,000 as seasonal relief, Rs 25 lakh accident insurance and a legally guaranteed MSP for fish--claimed as a first in India, the manifesto said.

The manifesto also includes Rs 3,000 monthly pensions for the elderly, widows and differently-abled, 200 units of free electricity, land title regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water.

For government employees, TVK has promised to review the Old Pension Scheme, regularise contract workers and increase salaries for anganwadi workers and health assistants, according to the manifesto.

Positioning governance reforms at the core, Vijay promised time-bound delivery of services, doorstep ration supply, a corruption-free administration and a 21-day guarantee for business licences.

Framing the election as a direct fight with the ruling DMK, Vijay said TVK aims to build a USD 1.5 trillion Tamil Nadu economy by 2036 and make the state India’s AI capital.

The elections for 234 Assembly seats will be held in a single phase on April 23, marking Vijay’s maiden electoral battle.