Chennai, August 6. Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Mary Wilson on Wednesday presented the first budget of the Thalapathy Vijay-led Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) government. The budget includes significant allocations for several welfare schemes. The government is also focused on making the tender process transparent. However, the allocation of funds for certain schemes is generating significant attention.
Gold coin and silk saree on the girl’s wedding
The government has allocated over ₹1,300 crore for two gold assistance schemes. Under the Gold Coin and Silk Saree Scheme, the government will provide an 8-gram gold coin and a silk sari for a girl’s wedding. TVK chief C. Joseph Vijay had made these promises to the state’s people before the elections.
Gold ring to the child on birth in a government hospital
An allocation of ₹812 crore has been made for the Gold Coin and Silk Saree Scheme. ₹560 crore has been allocated for the Gold Ring Scheme. Under this scheme, a gold ring will be provided by the government to every child born in a government hospital. This scheme could increase public interest in government hospital services.
2000 crore allocated for free laptops to college students
The budget allocated ₹2,000 crore for a scheme to provide free laptops to college students. The government also announced a Hajj subsidy. Under this scheme, for the first time, those going on Hajj through the Hajj Committee will receive a government subsidy of ₹35,000 to ₹25,000.
The state government already has a debt of Rs 10 lakh crore.
The state’s Finance Minister has appealed to the central government to replace NEET with 12th-grade marks for medical college admissions. He stated that the state government is taking several measures to address financial challenges. Previously, the TVK government presented a white paper on the state’s financial situation, stating that the state has a debt of approximately ₹10 lakh crore.
Ultra-modern schools to be built for students from classes 9th to 12th
The state budget has allocated ₹300 crore for a school modernization program. The government is launching a special scheme named after former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. This scheme will build ultra-modern residential schools for students in grades 9 to 12. An additional ₹125 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
The scheme of providing 200 units of free electricity to families is already in place.
The Finance Minister stated that the government has already launched a scheme to provide 200 units of free electricity to families. 717 liquor shops have been ordered to close. Wilson stated that the government’s focus is on women’s empowerment, social justice, and housing for all.