Stalin promises ₹8,000 coupon to housewives to buy household appliances

Releasing what he described as a “Superstar” manifesto for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on Sunday (March 29, 2026), DMK President and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the Illatharasi Scheme under which all non-income tax assessee housewives will be given a coupon valued at ₹8,000 to purchase or replace household electronic appliances.

They can choose from a range of appliances including a washing machine, a TV, a grinder, a fridge, mixies microwave oven and an induction stove.

Follow updates for the Assembly elections 2026

“The DMK’s election manifesto has always been a hero. The manifesto is also the heroine of the election. Now the manifesto will enter the fray as a superstar,” he said, adding the coupon would be the better way to serve homemakers. “Otherwise, they will spend the money,” he told journalists at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters in Chennai.

When asked whether the government would have funds to implement the new schemes, Mr. Stalin said similar doubts were raised in the 2021 election, but the DMK government fulfilled all its promises.

Mr. Stalin also said the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme will be extended to students up to class 8. It is now being implemented for the benefit of student of 1 to 5th standard.

He also announced that the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thoagai for women heads of families will be increased to ₹2000 from ₹1000. The old age pension scheme will be increased from ₹1200 to ₹2000. In the case of the differently abled the amount will be ₹2,500.

Mr. Stalin also announced that a free meter would be fixed for farmers who were getting free electricity. The annual salary limit for the Chief Minister’s insurance scheme would be ₹5 lakh per year, and the insurance amount would be ₹10 lakh.