DA Hike Tamilnadu: Good news for state government employees. The Tamil Nadu government, under the leadership of Thalapathy Vijay and the Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), has made a significant announcement for government employees and teachers in Tamil Nadu. On Thursday, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay revealed a two percent rise in the dearness allowance (DA) for these groups. As per an official press release, this adjustment will raise the dearness allowance from 58 percent to 60 percent, effective from January 1, 2026.

This increase in the dearness allowance will lead to an additional annual expenditure of Rs 1,230 crore for the state government. The government is committed to allocating extra funds to support the welfare of government officials, teachers, pensioners, and family pensioners. Furthermore, it was mentioned that Vijay has committed to developing and implementing various welfare schemes for the public.

Women beneficiaries to receive Rs. 1,000 installment soon

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced that the May installment of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme will soon be distributed to women. This initiative provides women with Rs. 1,000 and was launched by the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, named in honor of party leader M. Karunanidhi.

What did the government say about the scheme?

A government statement quoting Vijay indicated that the funds would be transferred directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. It also mentioned that the government requires time to restructure the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, which offers Rs. 1,000 to women.

Promising Rs 2,500 monthly assistance to women

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has instructed that the May installment of Rs 1,000 under this scheme will soon be directly deposited into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Prior to the state assembly elections, Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), had pledged to provide Rs 2,500 in monthly assistance to women under 60 years of age.

Upon assuming office as Chief Minister, Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) liquor stores near places of worship, schools, colleges, and bus stands. These stores will be closed within two weeks. A government survey found that 717 of the 4,765 TASMAC stores violated the 500-meter distance limit.

These include 276 shops near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions, and 255 near bus stands. Chief Minister Vijay described his administration as a “government of the common people,” operating on the principles of social justice, equal opportunity, and secularism. Despite TASMAC being a major revenue source for the state, there had been a long-standing demand to close the liquor shops.