Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS), fulfilling a 23-year-old demand from government employees and teachers. The scheme guarantees a pension equivalent to 50% of an employee's last drawn basic pay, with periodic dearness allowance hikes. Employees will contribute 10% of their salary, while the state government will cover the remaining costs, estimated at Rs 11,000 crore annually. TAPS also includes provisions for family pensions, death gratuity up to Rs 25 lakh, and a minimum pension for those not meeting service period requirements.