2026 TN elections | DMK promises Rs 2,000 pension, Rs 8,000 household support; check details

CHENNAI: Aiming to retain power for another term, DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday released the party’s election manifesto with 525 promises, with a major focus on welfare expansion, including the 'Illatharasi' scheme that offers Rs 8,000 to purchase household appliances.

Under the scheme, which seeks to counter the AIADMK’s promise of refrigerator for homemakers, two crore women not under the income tax net will receive a coupon for Rs 8,000 to purchase appliances such as refrigerator, washing machine, grinder, television, mixie, microwave oven, or induction stove.

Expanding the existing flagship schemes, the Magalir Urimai Thogai will be doubled to Rs 2,000, assistance under the Puthumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be raised to Rs 1,500 from Rs 1,000, old-age pension will be increased to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1,200, and assistance for persons with disabilities will be enhanced to Rs 2,500 from Rs 1,500.

Subsidised loans will be provided for women SHGs to buy share autos, over 20 lakh agriculture pumpsets will be modernised without meters, and paddy procurement price will be hiked to Rs 3,500 and sugarcane procurement price to Rs 4,500.

Monthly pension for members of labour welfare boards will be increased to Rs 2,000, health insurance coverage will be doubled to Rs 10 lakh, and dialysis facilities will be expanded from district to taluk hospitals.

The breakfast scheme will be extended up to Class 8, and 35 lakh laptops will be distributed over the next five years.

On infrastructure and development, the party has promised four future-ready global cities near Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai and Tiruchy, and regional development projects worth Rs 20,000 crore.

Stalin said most of the promises build on the achievements of the current government, adding that the "Dravidian Model 2.0" would further expand welfare and development initiatives across sectors.

KEY PROMISES

• Monthly women’s entitlement increased to Rs 2,000

• Old-age pension raised to Rs 2,000

• Assistance for differently abled increased to Rs 2,500

• Rs 8,000 Illatharasi scheme for household essentials

• Breakfast scheme extended up to Class 8

• Naan Mudhalvan to benefit 4 lakh youth

• Free WiFi in government arts colleges

• 10 lakh houses to be constructed

• MSP of Rs 3,500 for paddy, Rs 4,500 for sugarcane

• Free electric pump sets for farmers