Chennai: In a surprise pre-election move, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Friday that Rs 5,000 has been credited into the bank accounts of 1.31 crore women across the state under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme, reports claimed.
According to the state government, Rs 3,000 of the amount covers advance payments for February, March and April under the ongoing monthly assistance scheme, while an additional Rs 2,000 has been provided as a “special summer aid”, according to The Hindu report. These funds were directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts on Friday morning.
In a post on the social media platform X, Stalin—who is also the president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)— said the early disbursement was intended to ensure seamless continuation of the programme and guard against any potential delays ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, scheduled in the first half of the year.
தமிழ்நாட்டு மகளிருக்கு இந்த ஸ்டாலின் தந்த உறுதிமொழிதான் உரிமைத்தொகை. யார் தடை ஏற்படுத்தினாலும் அதிலிருந்து பின்வாங்க மாட்டேன்.
தேர்தலைக் காரணம் காட்டி, மூன்று மாதங்களுக்கு உரிமைத்தொகையை முடக்கப் பார்க்கிறார்கள். முந்திக்கொண்டது நமது #DravidianModel அரசு!
பிப்ரவரி, மார்ச்,… pic.twitter.com/n7VrMqcrb7
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) February 13, 2026
Under the scheme, women heads of households receive Rs 1,000 per month as a direct entitlement. Stalin also used the announcement to pledge that the monthly assistance will be increased to Rs 2,000 if his party is returned to power.
The Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme — formally known as the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai — was launched in September 2023 and has since been expanded to include 1.31 crore women beneficiaries across Tamil Nadu. Stalin described the Rs 5,000 benefit not merely as financial aid but as recognition of women’s contributions to society.