Tamil Nadu CM Vijay signs first order; announces 200 units free electricity and new welfare schemes

PTI, May 10, 2026, Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday introduced three major schemes related to electricity, women’s safety, and drug eradication as part of his poll promises after taking charge of office.

Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after his party, TVK, won the April 23 Assembly polls and secured outside support to cross the majority mark of 118 seats.

After assuming office, Vijay signed a government order providing 200 free units of electricity to domestic consumers using up to 500 units per two-month billing cycle.

To instil confidence among women and enhance their safety, a “Singa Pen Special Action Force” equipped with adequate personnel and state-of-the-art facilities will be established across the state. “Singa Pen” literally means “lioness”, but is commonly used to describe a brave woman.

A state government release said the initiative would enable swift and appropriate action on complaints related to women’s safety.

Similarly, to curb drug-related crimes and take stringent action against offenders, a total of 65 Anti-Narcotic Task Force units will be established.

One unit will be set up in each district, while the remaining units will be established in police districts across nine major cities in the state.

Meanwhile, in his maiden address at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium after taking over as Chief Minister, Vijay said a new era of a regime committed to “real secularism and social justice” had commenced.

The TVK chief asserted that there would not be any power centres other than him, emphasising that he would remain the only centre of power.

He thanked the Congress, VCK, IUML and Left parties for extending support to his party to form the government.

He specially thanked children, saying it was due to them that TVK won as they persuaded their families to vote for his party.