In a significant move, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu has announced the launch of a new scheme that fulfills one of its key election promises. This initiative entails providing a sum of Rs 1,000 as "rightful money" to eligible households headed by women, starting from September 15, 2023. The announcement was made on the birth anniversary of Dravidian stalwart C N Annadurai. The Finance Minister, P T R Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, described it as the "most extensive cash transfer scheme" ever implemented by any state government in India. This monthly aid to women is part of the DMK's efforts to promote gender equality and empower women, who constitute half of Tamil Nadu's population. Thiaga Rajan further stated that women heading households that have been adversely affected by the steep rise in cooking gas prices imposed by the Union Government and the overall increase in prices will be the primary beneficiaries of this program.
