Chennai: Chief Minister Vijay will launch the Vetri Payanam scheme today, under which women will be able to travel free of charge even on long-distance buses.
In the announcement made by Chief Minister Vijay under Rule 110 during the recently held Assembly session, he said, ‘The TVK government places primary importance on the social justice principle that every woman living in any part of Tamil Nadu should not lose opportunities because of transportation costs.
Keeping this in mind, the government has decided to expand the women’s free travel scheme and implement it on Gandhi Jayanti under the name “Vetri Payanam,” so that it benefits a large number of people,’ he had said.
In this context, Chief Minister Vijay will launch the expanded women’s free travel scheme, introduced in view of Gandhi Jayanti, today at 10 a.m. from the Koyambedu bus terminus.
With this, women can travel free not only on ordinary buses in cities and towns, but also on express, LSS, and deluxe government buses operating in urban and town areas.
In addition, to facilitate inter-district travel, the scheme will also apply to ordinary fare buses in suburban and hilly areas.
According to the Transport Department, 84.32 lakh women and transgender persons will benefit daily from the 12,692 buses that are to be operated through 7 transport corporations.
Let us buy Khadi clothes
In a social media post released by Chief Minister Vijay, ‘‘Mahatma Gandhi was the one who wielded the weapon called non-violence. Through the spinning wheel, the thread wheel, he taught every Indian economic freedom and self-reliance.
When we buy a Khadi garment, it is recognition of a weaver’s skill. When we buy a handicraft item, it is respect for a craftsman’s labor.
School and college students, government and private sector employees, young people, and all the people of Tamil Nadu should buy khadi clothes and handicrafts, and help bring new light into the lives of our spinners, weavers, and artisans,” he said.
In another statement, he said, “On Oct. 2, Gandhi Jayanti, Gram Sabha meetings will be held in all village panchayats (except in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts). The public should participate in these meetings in large numbers.”
