Free colour television scheme
· Chennai
The DMK government began distributing free colour television sets to families holding ration cards, a key 2006 election promise.
After returning to power in 2006, M. Karunanidhi's government implemented schemes to provide free colour TVs to families with ration cards and free gas stoves with gas connections. The colour television scheme became one of the best-known examples of welfare handouts in Tamil Nadu politics. Supporters described it as a way of widening access to information and entertainment, while critics called it a costly freebie.
