Gold, cash and more! TVK chairman Vijay appeals to female voters, promises ‘super good regime’

New Delhi: TVK chief Vijay on Saturday unveiled a slew of welfare promises ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, including several women-centric schemes, echoing a strategy that has seen electoral success in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and, most recently, Bihar.The actor-turned-politician’s poll promises include providing 8 grams of gold to female marriage beneficiaries, silk sarees and Rs 2,500 to women and free sanitary napkins through ration shops, schools and colleges. He also promised to provide six cooking gas bottles for free within a year.

Meanwhile, the SC has expressed concern over the rising trend of “freebie” culture across states. The Supreme Court said earlier this year that “most states in the country are revenue deficit states but they offer such freebies” ignoring development. The Supreme Court is hearing a petition from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Corporation Ltd. seeking free power to all consumers irrespective of their income.

Also read: Why Supreme Court labels ‘freebie culture’ and warns states

The following is a list of announcements that have been made: