AIADMK promises ₹1,000 to ration cardholders during Pongal in third round of poll guarantees

The AIADMK on Tuesday (February 24, 2026) announced its third round of guarantees for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election.

In the event of victory in the poll, the party assured that its government would provide ₹1,000 each to ration cardholders as part of the annual Pongal gift hamper. The party also said it would give ₹10,000 as solatium to every family that was hit by the “impact of inflation” and “tax hikes” effected during the current DMK regime, according to a release issued by party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

An unemployment dole of ₹2,000 per month would be given to graduates and ₹1,000 to those who finished higher secondary, subject to both categories having registered themselves with employment exchanges. During the period of ban on fishing, fishing families would hereafter receive ₹12,000 instead of ₹8,000.

Handloom weavers would be entitled to 450 units of free electricity instead of the existing 300 units and power looms, 1,400 units as against 1,000 units. Loans taken by pavement dwellers in cities from cooperative institutions would be waived.

In the first round of poll promises made on January 17, the party had assured the people that the monthly assistance to women heads of families would go up to ₹2,000, a promise made subsequently by Chief Minister and the DMK leader M.K. Stalin, too. The principal Opposition party had also proposed to extend free bus rides to men as well. In the second round on February 4, the AIADMK said three cooking gas free refills would be ensured. Among the other assurances were the waiver of educational loans drawn from banks, hike in old-age pension to ₹2,000 per month from ₹1,200 per month, and interest-free loans to women self-help groups belonging to religious minorities.

With the latest set of announcements, the party has made 16 poll promises so far.