On Friday, 13 February 2026, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced the disbursal of ₹5,000 to women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam, presenting the move as part of his government’s continued commitment to women’s welfare ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections.
According to the Chief Minister’s post on X, the ₹5,000 transfer covers three months, February, March, and April. Of this amount, ₹3,000 represents the regular monthly entitlement, while an additional ₹2,000 has been provided as a “summer special” assistance. Stalin stated that the amount had already been credited to 1.31 crore women enrolled under the scheme.
Framing the assistance as an entitlement rather than a welfare dole, the Chief Minister said the financial support was a pledge and a right of Tamil Nadu’s women. He also alleged that attempts were being made to delay the disbursal for three months citing the election schedule and claimed that his government had acted in advance to ensure uninterrupted payments. Stalin further announced that under a proposed “Dravidian Model 2.0,” the monthly assistance would be increased from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000.
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
Opposition Alleges Fund Diversion
However, the announcement drew criticism from the AIADMK, with party spokesperson Kovai Sathyan releasing a government document to allege that the disbursal was financed through diversion of funds earmarked for Scheduled Caste welfare components.
The document cited proceedings of the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department (Secretariat, Chennai-5), issued under an official file reference dated 22.12.2025.
According to the order, administrative sanction was accorded under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme (2025-26) by drawing funds linked to Special Component Plan allocations.
The file refers to approvals connected to:
- Government sanction proceedings dated 03.11.2025 and 24.11.2025
- Additional departmental approval dated 28.07.2025
- Implementation under provisions of the Tamil Nadu Financial Code relating to re-appropriation.
Budget Heads Cited
A tabulated annexure in the document lists expenditure under Social Welfare budget classifications, including:
Demand No. 2235 – Social Security and Welfare
Head 02 – Social Welfare
Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes – State Expenditure
Two specific sub-heads are cited:
789 – Special Component Plan for Scheduled Caste
Linked to Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Subsidies (AB-311)
Allocations shown:
- 2023–2024: ₹2,41,95,16,2000
- 2024–2025: ₹4,14,39,90,7000
- 2025–2026: ₹4,14,16,72,2000
796 – Tribal Area Sub-Plan / Scheduled Tribe Component
Linked to Magalir Urimai Subsidies (JH-311)
Allocations shown:
- 2023–2024: ₹1,61,30,11,000
- 2024–2025: ₹2,73,05,57,000
- 2025–2026: ₹2,76,11,15,000
The annexure records that these heads fall under Special Component / Tribal Sub-Plan structures meant for targeted welfare expenditure.
AIADMK’s Charge
Kovai Sathyan alleged that the government had utilized funds earmarked for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe development components to finance the Magalir Urimai Thogai disbursal, calling it a diversion of social justice allocations for electoral purposes.
He argued that Special Component Plan funds are intended for community-specific development outcomes and should not be repurposed for general cash transfer schemes and demanded transparency from the state government on the funding structure of the ₹5,000 payout.
மகளிர் உரிமை தொகை பிற்படுத்தப்பட்ட பழங்குடியினருக்கு வழங்க வேண்டிய நிதியில் இருந்து அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது ஆதாரம் இதோ.
சமூகநீதி பல்லிளித்த நேரம். #420திமுக pic.twitter.com/u7rbBFiw00
— Kovai Sathyan (@KovaiSathyan) February 13, 2026
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