Chennai, Oct 6: In a festive boost for state employees, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday announced a 20% bonus and ex gratia for ‘C’ and ‘D’ category workers across all state public sector undertakings (PSUs).

The decision, coming ahead of Diwali, is expected to benefit nearly 2.7 lakh employees in state-run entities, including TANGEDCO, state transport corporations, Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation, Tamil Nadu Housing Board, and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Drainage Board.

According to government data, ₹376.01 crore has been earmarked for disbursement as additional pay and gratuity.

Permanent workers eligible for overtime pay will receive a minimum bonus of ₹8,400 and up to ₹16,800, while temporary employees of the Consumer Goods Corporation will receive a ₹3,000 ex gratia payment, Stalin said.

The announcement comes as part of the government’s broader welfare outreach this festive season.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister also inaugurated multiple development projects in Chennai and other districts.

These included the launch of 26 vehicles (including 23 purchased for ₹3.62 crore and 3 donated via CSR funds) to serve students in tribal hostels, 25 emergency ambulances worth ₹5.78 crore, and 20 mobile medical vehicles costing ₹4 crore.

In a major housing initiative, Stalin inaugurated 772 new houses built at a cost of ₹44.48 crore for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in eight rehabilitation camps across Virudhunagar, Tiruvannamalai, Thoothukudi, and Sivagangai districts.

Additionally, new hospital blocks constructed for ₹108.5 crore were inaugurated in Katpadi, Palani, Tirupathur, Gudalur, Sankarapuram, and Melur district hospitals.