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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu's KMUT Scheme: Gains and Gaps in Cash Transfer to Women
Published : Aug 14, 2025 21:01 IST - 6 MINS READ A year after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led government in Tamil Nadu launched the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT) scheme, an unconditional monthly cash transfer of Rs.1,000 to the female head of eligible households in the State, a new report says that the scheme has helped in advancing women's financial autonomy but is yet to address some critical gaps. The report, titled 'A Right to Care, A Right to Welfare: A Study of the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam', was released at Chennai's Anna Centenary Library on August 11, months before the 2026 Assembly election in the State. The survey was carried out by a team of researchers led by Prabha Kotiswaran in six districts: Virudhunagar, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Vellore, and Kancheepuram. 'The KMUT scheme recognises women's unpaid work and is very robust in terms of notification and implementation. We found that women are experiencing higher levels of financial well-being,' said Kotiswaran, a professor of law and social justice at The Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London (KCL). She added that compared with cash transfer schemes in other States, the Tamil Nadu model 'offered hope'. Expenditure and food choices under KMUT The report, part of KCL's Laws of Social Reproduction project, shows that 96 per cent of the beneficiaries feel free from financial anxieties and more confident in handling life situations. A clear result of this increased independence is the way women decide to spend or save the KMUT amount. The report found that 82 per cent of beneficiaries spent the money, 6 per cent saved it entirely, and 12 per cent split it between saving and spending. About half the women used it for household goods, with spending on medicines now higher than everyday items. The data also showed that the beneficiaries were less likely to spend it on themselves. For instance, the report mentioned a beneficiary with a family of six who said that with inflation, she could not afford to spend anything on herself. Also Read | Welfare schemes win female voters but fail to boost women in politics The report states that the scheme has allowed women to buy a greater variety of food, with fish consumption seeing a notable rise among beneficiaries (17 percentage points) and their household members (19 percentage points). But it also notes that women are eating fewer meals because of rising grocery costs, indicating the amount is insufficient for their own expenses. Role in women's financial independence KMUT has changed the way things work at home for many, as the case of 36-year-old Vijayalakshmi suggests. A member of the women's union Penn Thozhilalar Sangam (PTS), Vijayalakshmi told Frontline that she found the KMUT amount to be helpful as it was extra income for her. 'Before, my kids would go to their father if they wanted something. Now, they come to me too,' she said. In the pre-survey, researchers found that women were at peace with the KMUT amount in hand. One year into the scheme, 91 per cent of the beneficiaries felt self-sufficient and autonomous, 95 per cent were able to spend without their husbands' permission, and 96 per cent felt like an asset rather than a liability. According to the report, women not only have more control over their finances but are also more financially aware, withdrawing their KMUT amount from banks, ATMs, customer service points, and e-Sevai centres. Yet, despite these gains, some PTS members voiced criticism. 'Government functionaries should understand that if women are happy with receiving this meagre amount, how bad their livelihood must be. That should signal that the scheme is hence a failure,' said Sumathi Dorairaj, a PTS member and activist. Kavitha, another PTS member, said that KMUT had not reached more than half the designated people. 'And those who have missed out on it are the ones in the lower reaches of society,' she added. Vijayalakshmi, however, saw no issue with the amount and said it would be spent regardless of how much it was. Impact on work and domestic violence The research found mixed results for the scheme's impact on paid and unpaid work. While the earnings from paid work outside the home fell by 95 per cent, paid work done at home rose by 36 per cent. Savings from unpaid work increased by 14 per cent. The report said some women used the money to travel for paid work, while others used it to earn from home or make domestic and care work easier. But having more income and independence also led to some unexpected problems. The study found a rise in certain forms of domestic violence among the beneficiaries surveyed. Minor violence became more frequent, with indicators such as husbands showing anger or jealousy when their wives spoke to other men or accusing them of being unfaithful. Major violence also increased—physical abuse by husbands rose by 34 percentage points, and wives hitting husbands went up by 16 percentage points. Incidents of sexual violence increased as well, with the frequency of forceful sexual acts rising by 53 per cent. Rethinking the scheme As per the report, 67 per cent of the beneficiaries felt that the KMUT amount should be increased. 'Widows must be given at least Rs.5,000. Many are denied the money because they are under 45 years of age. If they are above 45, they are refused on the grounds that their children are over 18. This Rs. 1,000 is not enough for them,' R. Sumathi, PTS general secretary, told Frontline. Narbadeshwar Mishra, an assistant professor of economics at O.P. Jindal Global University and one of the report's co-authors, said that Rs.1,000 is not enough to lift women out of poverty. He added that while it has made them more familiar with banking, many still do not use it much, and the small amount makes it harder to get loans. The report also observes that some beneficiaries want jobs over payments, and many expect the government to expand the scheme's eligibility criteria to include all women. It stated that '56 per cent of the respondents said they would prefer to access paid work instead of the cash transfer scheme, with only 21 per cent saying they preferred receiving just the cash transfer'. Right to care The report also calls for the inclusion of beneficiaries and women's groups in designing and improving the welfare system, linking it to a formal right to care. PTS president Sujata Mody said that the government must communicate with them to understand what needs to be done going forward. 'In a State like Tamil Nadu, where gender divide is deeply ingrained, KMUT offers respect and appreciation to women. But one cash transfer is not enough, as the scheme has negatively impacted other programmes such as the old age pension, scholarships for children, and MNREGA funds. If the government says the funds are limited, they should be better targeted,' Mody told Frontline. Also Read | The myth of the 'women vote bank' The report concludes that while KMUT has emerged as a success story, it is only a single step forward to empower women. It emphasises recognising unpaid domestic and care work under the UN's Sustainable Development Goals to enable its redistribution. Kotiswaran hopes that the report would help improve KMUT's implementation, including a reconsideration of eligibility criteria with a renewed focus on its purpose—to recognise care. 'If Tamil Nadu is serious about this, more must be done—embed the right to care and cash transfers in law, recognise care workers' rights (including scheme and domestic workers), and invest in the care economy,' she said.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
DMK will form govt on its own in 2026, asserts Vaiko
Madurai: Tamil Nadu has never seen a coalition govt, and the upcoming 2026 elections will be no exception, said MDMK general secretary Vaiko in Madurai on Tuesday. He asserted that the DMK, under chief minister M K Stalin's leadership, would secure a clear majority and form the govt on its own. Speaking to reporters, Vaiko said the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP would work against it, as the people of Tamil Nadu firmly rejected the saffron party. "The BJP is being controlled by the RSS, which is trying hard to gain a foothold in the Dravidian heartland. But Tamil Nadu will not allow it," he said. He reaffirmed MDMK's continued support to the DMK, emphasising that their partnership was built on shared ideology and values. "We are in alliance not for convenience, but for principles. We opposed the invitation to Sri Lankan President Rajapakse for Modi's swearing-in even when we were part of the NDA. We stand firm on protecting Tamil interests," Vaiko said. When asked about anti-incumbency, he admitted that every ruling party faces it, including the DMK. However, he praised the state govt for delivering on key welfare promises. "Stalin implemented several schemes, even beyond the manifesto. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like LG, KT, SK 모든 통신사 개통당일 현금 100만원 당일 지급! 똑똑하게 돌려받자! 인싸통 더 알아보기 Undo The Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam, which gives 1,000 to more than 1.15 crore women, is a shining example," he added. On seat-sharing, Vaiko clarified that the MDMK did not make any specific numerical demand. "To be recognised as a political party, we need to win at least eight seats. So naturally, we'll ask for more than that. But we never said we want exactly 10 or 12," he said. He also announced a statewide conference in Trichy on Sept 15. Party MP Durai Vaiko said zonal-level meetings with cadres were ongoing and announced that former CM C N Annadurai's birth anniversary would be commemorated in Trichy.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ungaludan Stalin: 10K special camps to resolve public grievances planned across Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin will kickstart the 'Ungaludan Stalin' programme in Chidambaram, Cuddalore, on July 15, aiming to resolve people's grievances through 10,000 special camps across the state. Actions will be taken on the applications received through these camps within 45 days, according to a release. Among other services, eligible women who have been left out of the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT) can submit their applications at these camps to avail of the benefit. These special camps will be held in all the districts till November-end. According to the government, the objective of the scheme is to deliver essential government services and welfare schemes directly to the people, ensuring maximum coverage of eligible beneficiaries. A total of 3,768 camps will be held in urban areas and 6,232 in rural areas. Urban camps will offer 43 services from 13 government departments, while rural camps will provide 46 services from 15 departments. Medical camps will also be conducted at all these camps to provide health services.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Surging crowd at CM Stalin's roadshow chokes Bengaluru Highway in Ambur, Vaniyambadi
The Chennai - Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) in Ambur town in Tirupattur was enveloped with a sea of crowd, young and old, holding party flags, balloons, petitions in their hands, and greeted Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who walked around one kilometre on the stretch as part of his road show on Wednesday. He began his roadshow from the outskirts of the town and got down from the specially-designed vehicle near the elevated corridor of the stretch to interact with the public and pose for photographs with children. 'It was a dream come true to greet the Chief Minister at the road show. We have been waiting for hours to see him in person. Finally, we made it,' said Shabana Begam, a graduate. While jubilant party cadre were seen waving DMK's red-and-black flags and cheering him, the women were equally cheerful in greeting the Chief Minister for introducing several welfare measures including Chief Minister's Breakfast scheme for school students and monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 under the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam. No road space on the stretch, including the concrete median, was left unoccupied as surging crowds were pushing each other to get a glimpse of their beloved leader of the State. Non-stop slogans were chanted by party cadre to keep the mood upbeat. The performance of traditional folklore artists on both sides of the stretch kept the crowd glued to the roadshow. Security personnel had a daunting task in controlling the crowd as people never missed an opportunity to get a close look. Some even managed to click a photograph with the Chief Minister, who was waving to the crowd with a smile all through the roadshow. Throughout the journey of the roadshow, Mr. Stalin received petitions from elderly people, both men and women. He also readily posed for selfies with youngsters waiting with their mobile phones. Later, the Chief Minister halted in Vaniyambadi town on the stretch before he opened the statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Tirupattur town. After a night halt in Tirupattur town, the Chief Minister will attend a public function where he will handover government assistance to beneficiaries and address the gathering at Mandalavadi village near Jolarpet railway station on Thursday (June 26). He will return to Chennai by boarding the West Coast Express train around noon on the same day (Thursday).
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Large crowd gathers to greet Chief Minister Stalin at roadshow in Madurai
A 20-kilometre roadshow by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin attracted a huge crowd, including a large number of women, in Madurai on Saturday. Accompanied by Ministers P. Moorthy and PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, the Chief Minister began his roadshow from the outskirts of the city. Travelling in a specially-designed vehicle, the Chief Minister chose to hop off and walk on the roads in select stretches, interacting with the crowds. While jubilant party cadre were seen waving DMK's red-and-black flags and cheering him, the women thanked the Chief Minister for the government's move to provide women ₹1,000 as monthly financial assistance under the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam. Several supporters of the DMK were upbeat as they felt their party supremo had signalled the start of the campaign for the 2026 Assembly election through the roadshow in Madurai. All through the route, he received petitions from elderly people, both men and women. He also readily posed for selfies with youngsters waiting for the Chief Minister with their mobile phones. 'The Chief Minister advised the young crowd to study well. He assured them of support for their higher education as well,' Kamala Devi, a mother of two children in Villapuram, said. Unveiling the newly-crafted life-size bronze statue of then Madurai Mayor S. Muthu in the city, Mr. Stalin hailed the role played by the late stalwart in shaping the party and the city about four decades ago. Thanks to CM Thanking the Chief Minister, Karuna Muthu, son of the late Mayor, told The Hindu that he was immensely happy that the DMK and the people of Madurai had showered affection on his father. After an overnight halt in the city, Mr. Stalin is scheduled to address the party's general council meeting scheduled at Uthangudi on the Madurai-Tiruchi highway on Sunday. About 3,000 general council members would be participating at the meeting and elaborate arrangements have been made on a sprawling 20-acre campus.
