Chennai, August 16

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay completes 100 days in office on Monday after ending five decades of alternating rule by the DMK and AIADMK.

The fledgling party won the Assembly election in April. Vijay assumed office on May 10 with nine ministers before expanding his Cabinet.

On his first day, the Chief Minister approved three initiatives: 200 units of free electricity every two months for households consuming up to 500 units, a Singappen Special Task Force for women’s safety and 65 anti-narcotics units.

The government closed 717 TASMAC liquor outlets near educational institutions and places of worship. It increased the dearness allowance for government employees from 58 to 60 per cent, ordered renovation of Amma canteens and announced a waiver of crop loans up to ₹50,000 for marginal farmers.

Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submitted demands concerning the Mekedatu dam dispute and issues affecting Tamil Nadu fishermen.

The revised Budget included welfare measures including eight-gram gold coins and silk clothing for brides, 70,000 concrete houses, bicycles for Class 11 students and laptops for college students. Finance Minister Maria Wilson said 125 commitments from TVK’s election manifesto had been incorporated into the Budget.

Investment mobilisation is another claimed achievement. The government says 104 agreements have brought proposed investments exceeding ₹1 lakh crore. At the Vetri Tamil Nadu Investors’ Conclave, 97 agreements worth ₹67,452 crore were signed, promising nearly 1.07 lakh jobs across 23 districts.

Despite these announcements, the administration has faced criticism over law and order, sexual crimes, power disruptions and waste management. Its inexperienced ministers have also encountered sustained questioning from seasoned DMK and AIADMK legislators.

The government’s first 100 days indicate urgency in welfare delivery, investment promotion and anti-corruption measures. However, its credibility will depend on converting promises into results.