Chennai: In a move that underscores its welfare-first pitch ahead of a politically charged summer, the Government of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday credited a one-time special assistance of ₹2,000 to beneficiaries of its monthly social security pension schemes, along with the March instalment.

Chief Minister M. K. Stalin announced the decision through a social media post, stating that the relief had been extended to elderly persons, destitute and widowed women, aged transgender persons and persons with disabilities who are receiving monthly financial assistance from the State.

The Chief Minister said the decision followed representations seeking parity after the summer special package of ₹2,000 announced for women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam received widespread response. “Respecting the trust reposed in us, we have fulfilled their request today. A special relief of ₹2,000 has been credited along with the March pension as a measure to alleviate distress,” he said.

According to official figures released by the State government, a total of 29.29 lakh beneficiaries — including elderly persons and widowed women covered under various social security schemes — have received ₹3,200 each, inclusive of the monthly pension and the special assistance.

In addition, 5.92 lakh persons with disabilities have been credited ₹3,500 each. Families of 2.58 lakh persons with severe disabilities receiving maintenance assistance have received ₹4,000 each.

The government also detailed parallel disbursements under other welfare heads. As part of the annual fishing ban period support, ₹8,000 per family is being provided to 1,62,900 fisher families for the April–June period.

Further, in the Nilgiris district, ₹8.53 crore has been sanctioned as incentive support to 14,870 small tea growers. The assistance, calculated at ₹2 per kilogram as procurement incentive price support for green tea leaves, will be routed through 15 cooperative tea factories.

Reiterating his administration’s welfare plank, Mr. Stalin said, “I reaffirm at this moment — in Tamil Nadu’s journey of development, we will not leave anyone behind.”

The latest round of transfers, coming at the start of the financial year, reinforces the ruling dispensation’s emphasis on direct benefit transfers targeting vulnerable groups, even as Opposition parties continue to question the sustainability of the State’s expanding welfare commitments.