CHENNAI: The State government on Monday announced and disbursed Deepavali bonus and ex-gratia payments totalling Rs 216.81 crore to 1,50,574 employees of cooperative institutions and state transport corporations for 2025-26, with eligible employees set to receive a bonus of up to 20%.

Of the total amount, Rs 167.12 crore has been disbursed to 1,06,001 employees of eight state transport corporations, while Rs 49.69 crore has been earmarked for 44,573 employees of cooperative institutions across the State.

Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said the amount was credited to the bank accounts of transport corporation employees on Monday, on the directions of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

The eight transport corporations operate 21,333 buses on more than 10,172 routes, serving 2.18 crore passengers daily. Around 72% of the passengers travel free of cost or at concessional fares.

For cooperative institutions, employees covered by the Payment of Bonus Act will receive a bonus of up to 20%, depending on the allocable surplus available with their respective institutions.

Employees of institutions without an allocable surplus will receive a 10% bonus along with an ex-gratia payment.

Employees of smaller, profit-making cooperative institutions not covered by the Act will be eligible for a bonus of up to 20%, in addition to an ex-gratia payment.

Meanwhile, employees of loss-making apex and central cooperative societies outside the Act's purview will receive an ex-gratia payment of Rs 3,000 each. Those working in primary cooperative societies will receive Rs 2,400 each.

According to an official release, the cooperative sector payments will benefit 44,573 employees across Tamil Nadu, involving an expenditure of Rs 49.69 crore towards bonus and ex-gratia payments.

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay ordered the disbursement in recognition of the employees' contribution and services to the cooperative sector ahead of Deepavali.