Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday announced that Rs 5,000 each has been credited to the bank accounts of 1.3 crore women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme in the poll-bound state.

The amount includes the advance disbursal of the monthly entitlement of Rs 1,000 for February, March and April, along with a “special summer assistance” of Rs 2,000.

In a video message posted on social media, Stalin said that there was information that there was a conspiracy to stop the disbursement of the grant for three months by a “group in Delhi and another group in Tamil Nadu, who were slaves to the Delhi group”, in view of the elections, The Hindu reported.

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The elections for the 234-seat Assembly are likely to be held in April or May.

“This Dravidian model government has overcome it [attempts to stall the disbursal],” the newspaper quoted the chief minister as saying in the video message. “This…was an assurance made by Stalin to the women of Tamil Nadu. I will not step back, irrespective of whoever places obstacles.”

The chief minister also announced that the monthly entitlement would be increased to Rs 2000 from Rs 1,000 if the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam returns to power.

The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme was launched in September 2023, initially covering 1.1 crore women with a monthly assistance of Rs 1,000. The coverage was later expanded to 1.3 crore beneficiaries across the state.

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On January 17, the Opposition All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam released the first phase of its manifesto for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, promising a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 for women under the Kula Vilakku scheme.

Also read: Tamil Nadu 2026 elections: Will the dawn of coalition politics end the era of Dravidian parties?