CHENNAI: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Saturday announced the extension of several popular schemes implemented by the DMK government, including the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai and the free bus travel scheme.

Making the announcements on the occasion of the late Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran’s (MGR) 109th birth anniversary, Mr. Palaniswami outlined a series of proposals that appeared to mirror and expand the current DMK government’s welfare schemes.

Addressing reporters at the party headquarters, he said that under the Kulavilakku scheme, women in Tamil Nadu would receive a monthly cash assistance of Rs. 2,000, an increase from the Rs. 1,000 currently provided under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme

He also announced a free bus travel scheme for male passengers in city buses. At present, under the DMK government’s Vidiyal Payanam scheme, women passengers are allowed to travel free of cost.

Speaking about housing, Mr. Palaniswami said that under the proposed “Amma Illam” scheme, people in both urban and rural areas who do not own a house would be provided with a concrete house on government land. This scheme is currently being implemented by the DMK government under the Kalaignar Housing Scheme.