Chennai, March 29 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday released his party's manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections, and announced providing the "Illatharasi" coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy or replace household electronic goods.
He promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors, including education, industry, and agriculture, if the DMK were to return to power, and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar."
He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, mixers, microwave ovens, or induction stoves, or to replace them.
"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, women from families who do not fall under the income tax bracket will be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from shops in their areas of residence," Stalin said.
"Illatharasi" in Tamil literally translates to "the queen of the house," and refers to the female head of the family.
Announcing a series of welfare measures targeting women, female students, farmers, and fishermen, he said, "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."
"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections, the DMK's election manifesto is the hero, but now the Dravidian model 2.0's poll manifesto is the superstar," said Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of the 234 in the April 23 election.
Other promises made by the ruling party include increasing the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakhs by increasing the annual income ceiling, increasing the pension for elderly, widows, and unmarried women over 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai to Rs 2,000, and adding new eligible women to this scheme.
Other announcements include expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme up to Class 8, and providing free modern electric pumps to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity.