Chennai, 24 August (H.S.): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday announced that more than 1.30 crore eligible families would receive reimbursement for three domestic LPG cylinders every year under the government’s ‘Annapoorani Super Six Scheme.’

The scheme will be launched on Pongal Day in January 2027 and is estimated to cost the State exchequer approximately ₹4,000 crore annually. The financial assistance will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.

Making a suo motu statement in the Legislative Assembly, Vijay said the government would obtain details of cylinder purchases from oil marketing companies. Once an eligible beneficiary books and receives a cylinder, the corresponding amount will be credited to the family’s registered bank account.

Families with an annual income of up to ₹2.5 lakh will be eligible for the benefit. The scheme will also cover small and marginal farmers as well as families of persons with disabilities, subject to the eligibility conditions prescribed by the government.

The provision of free cooking gas cylinders was among the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s prominent promises ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. While the party’s election campaign had promised six free cylinders annually, the government has now announced reimbursement for three cylinders a year under the first phase of the scheme.

Explaining the decision, Vijay said LPG supplies had been affected during the past four months because of the conflict in West Asia. The shortage had reportedly forced several households to depend on alternative cooking fuels.

The Chief Minister said rising fuel prices had also placed additional pressure on household budgets, particularly among economically weaker families.

Acknowledging Tamil Nadu’s difficult financial position, Vijay said the government had nevertheless decided to implement the programme to reduce the burden on families and protect their welfare. He added that the initiative also marked the fulfilment of an important electoral commitment made by the TVK to the people of Tamil Nadu.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman