English
English
English
Ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami unveiled a wide-ranging welfare package, promising cash assistance to families, jobseekers and fishermen, along with higher subsidies for weavers and loan waivers for small traders.
AIADMK announces lucrative promises ahead of polls
Chennai: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday announced a series of election promises aimed at families, youth, fishermen, weavers and small traders. The declarations come as the party sharpens its campaign strategy ahead of the crucial Tamil Nadu Assembly polls.
At the heart of the announcement is a proposal to provide ₹10,000 as relief assistance to every family in the state. Addressing unemployment concerns, Palaniswami said graduates registered with employment exchanges would receive ₹2,000 per month as financial support until they secure jobs.
Bird Flu alert in Chennai as H5N1 confirmed in dead crows; Authorities issue advisory
Those educated up to Higher Secondary level and registered with employment exchanges would be eligible for ₹1,000 per month.
The AIADMK leader also promised stronger support for fishing communities during the annual fishing ban period. The existing assistance of ₹8,000 would be enhanced to ₹12,000, offering greater financial security to families dependent on seasonal fishing.
In addition, apart from the traditional Pongal gift hamper distributed every year during Thai Pongal, an extra ₹1,000 would be provided as special festive assistance.
Weavers were another key focus of the announcements. Free electricity for handloom weavers would be increased from 300 units to 450 units, while power loom weavers would see their free electricity limit rise from 1,000 units to 1,400 units.
Tamil Nadu Weather: Heavy rain warning issued in Chennai for weekend; IMD forecast here
Palaniswami also announced that loans taken from cooperative banks by small traders running pavement shops in urban areas would be waived, offering relief to the informal sector.
Separately, the Election Commission of India released the final electoral roll after a Special Intensive Revision. Tamil Nadu’s Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said over 74 lakh names were removed, reducing the electorate from 6.41 crore to 5.67 crore voters. The updated list includes 2.77 crore male voters, 2.89 crore female voters and 7,617 third-gender voters.
