Tamil Nadu subsidised two-wheeler scheme for Ulema: ₹50,000 aid, apply by June 30
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Tamil Nadu government has opened applications for its subsidised two-wheeler scheme targeting Ulema and other Islamic religious workers, offering a subsidy of up to ₹50,000 on the purchase of a new vehicle. The initiative, announced on Sunday, is being administered through the Tamil Nadu Ulema and Other Personnel Welfare Board, with a deadline of 30 June 2026.
Who Is Eligible
The scheme is open to a defined set of religious functionaries actively serving in mosques and Islamic institutions across the state. Eligible categories include Aalims, Pesh-Imams, Arabic teachers, muezzins, mosque support staff, and other personnel engaged in community and religious services. Applicants must be between 18 and 60 years of age and must satisfy the eligibility criteria laid down by the Welfare Board.
What the Scheme Offers
Under the programme, qualifying applicants can receive a direct subsidy of up to ₹50,000 toward the cost of a new two-wheeler. The government's stated objective is to ease the transportation burden on religious workers who regularly travel across localities to lead prayers, conduct religious instruction, attend community gatherings, and provide spiritual counsel. Improved personal mobility, officials argue, will strengthen grassroots outreach and the delivery of social services.
How to Apply
Chennai District Collector Rashmi Siddharth Zagade, who issued the scheme details, said prescribed application forms are available at respective District Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Offices. Completed forms, along with all required supporting documents, must be submitted within the stipulated period. The last date for submission is 30 June 2026. Prospective applicants have been urged to contact their district welfare offices for details on documentation requirements and eligibility conditions.
Broader Context
The subsidised two-wheeler scheme forms part of the Tamil Nadu government's wider portfolio of targeted welfare measures for specific occupational and community groups. This comes amid a broader pattern of state governments extending mobility and livelihood support to workers in the informal and religious sectors, who often lack access to institutional credit or employer-provided transport. Notably, the scheme is routed through a dedicated welfare board rather than a general beneficiary programme, which officials say allows for more precise targeting of the intended beneficiaries.