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With assembly elections five months away, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin launches the second phase of Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, extending financial aid to 17 lakh more women and strengthening the state’s flagship welfare initiative.
Total beneficiaries now expected to exceed 1.3 crore.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced the expansion of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam at a high-profile event in Chennai. The second phase of the scheme will benefit an additional 17 lakh women across the state, raising the total number of beneficiaries to over 1.3 crore. The event highlighted women-centric welfare initiatives and the impact of direct financial assistance on households.
Under KMUT, each eligible woman head of a family receives Rs 1,000 every month. The first phase, launched in September 2023, had covered over 1.14 crore women, with payments credited on the 15th of every month. The scheme aims to provide direct financial support, empower women, and improve their socio-economic conditions.
Addressing the gathering, Stalin spoke about the inspiration he drew from hearing women beneficiaries share their experiences. He described their stories as motivating and reiterated the government’s commitment to their empowerment. He also emphasised that the success of welfare programmes should be measured by tangible improvements in people’s lives.
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The expanded coverage under the scheme was facilitated through ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ camps. These outreach initiatives aim to take government services directly to citizens’ homes and ensure last-mile delivery of benefits. The camps also allowed women to apply for the scheme conveniently, increasing participation across districts.
The idea behind KMUT traces back to an electoral promise made by Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan before the 2021 assembly elections. After returning to power, the DMK operationalised the proposal, which has since influenced similar welfare models in other states. The programme is part of a broader strategy to strengthen women’s support ahead of upcoming elections.
The DMK government has implemented several initiatives targeting women, including free bus travel in state-run transport services. This measure has particularly benefited women from economically weaker sections, enhancing mobility and access to work and education. Such measures aim to consolidate the government’s support among women voters.
While the monthly assistance was initially promoted as universal, eligibility conditions meant only a little over one crore women qualified in the first phase. By expanding the scheme now, the government is signalling its intent to further extend the benefits and solidify its electoral base among women ahead of the assembly polls.
MK Stalin described the ideological purpose of the scheme as building a society free from discrimination based on caste, religion, or social status. The scheme, along with other women-focused measures, reflects the DMK government’s emphasis on inclusive development and social empowerment.
