Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to launch ‘Vetri Payanam Thittam’ scheme on Gandhi Jayanti
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay expands the Vetri Payanam Thittam scheme, offering free bus travel to women in Express and Deluxe buses on Gandhi Jayanti.
In a major boost to women's mobility, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay is set to launch the expanded Vetri Payanam Thittam scheme this Friday in Chennai. The launch, scheduled to coincide with the observance of Gandhi Jayanti, marks a significant expansion of the state's existing free bus travel initiatives.
Massive Expansion of Free Bus Travel
While women have previously enjoyed free travel in ordinary buses within metropolitan and urban areas, the new phase of the Vetri Payanam Thittam significantly broadens the scope of accessibility. The expansion now includes:
- Express, LSS, and Deluxe buses operating in metropolitan and urban sectors.
- Ordinary suburban buses running between various districts.
- Ordinary buses in hill areas located beyond a 40-kilometre radius.
This massive undertaking brings a total of 12,692 buses, managed across seven different state transport corporations, under the umbrella of the free travel scheme. The government estimates that approximately 84.32 lakh women will benefit from this initiative on a daily basis.
Launch Details and Implementation
The official launch ceremonies are slated to take place in the Koyambedu and Ambattur areas of Chennai. To ensure smooth execution on the ground, the government has already released an instructional video outlining the specific duties and protocols to be followed by bus conductors once the scheme goes live.
The core objective of the Vetri Payanam scheme is to provide seamless, fare-free public transportation for women and transgender individuals across designated government-operated services, fostering greater independence and economic participation.
Recent Welfare Milestones: Gold Rings for Newborns
The expansion of the bus scheme follows the recent introduction of the 'Thai Maman Thanga Mothiram' (Maternal Uncle's Gold Ring) initiative. Launched by CM Vijay on September 28 at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, this scheme provides a one-gram, 22-carat gold ring to eligible newborns in government hospitals.
Eligibility and Security Measures
To strengthen maternal and child welfare, the state has implemented strict verification processes for the gold ring scheme:
- Verification: Beneficiaries must present an e-KYC-verified Aadhaar card along with a valid identity or residence document.
- Eligibility: Mothers must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu, registered under the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME), and possess a Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) ID.
- Security: Each gold ring is issued with a unique serial number and provided in tamper-proof packaging to ensure integrity.
The gold ring initiative, inspired by the Tamil cultural tradition of Thaaimaman Seer, is being implemented across the state, with the exception of Maduranthakam and Dharapuram due to upcoming bypolls. This move is part of the broader Vettri Tamilagam long-term vision to enhance public confidence in state health services.