A social activist from Madurai district has returned the ₹5,000 credited to his bank account under the Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, stating that he believed the disbursal was linked to the upcoming elections.
The DMK government has been providing ₹1,000 per month to eligible women beneficiaries under the Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme. Recently, the Stalin government credited an amount covering the next three months (₹3,000) in advance, along with an additional ₹2,000 announced as special summer assistance. The total ₹5,000 was deposited into beneficiaries’ bank accounts earlier this week.
Shankarapandian, a social activist from Sellur in Madurai district, returned the amount to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell through postal services, stating that his family did not require the funds at present, particularly given what he described as the state government’s existing debt burden.
Speaking about his decision, he said he works as a tiles worker and had come across discussions on social media alleging that the ₹5,000 disbursal was intended to influence voters ahead of elections. He stated that he personally shared that view and felt a sense of moral discomfort in retaining the money.
He further added that his family had never accepted money in exchange for votes and that he returned the amount with his wife’s consent.
Source: Dinamalar
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