Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the budget for 2024-25 in the state Assembly on Monday.
He outlined a 7-point objective terming it the 'seven grand Tamil dream', which includes social justice, welfare of the marginalised, women's welfare, and making Tamil youth global achievers.
Thennarasu said the state has made very significant progress in poverty reduction through its welfare schemes. The NITI Aayog has said that people below poverty line in Tamil Nadu was only about 2.2 per cent, he added.
Here are key points from the TN Finance Minister's Budget speech:
Knowledge based economy, equality focused on welfare of women, sustainable future, Tamil culture among other goals
Rs 5 crore allocated in TN Budget for archaeological excavations in 8 places including areas in states like Kerala with Tamil links
TN govt allocates Rs 300 crore in budget for civic amenities including roads for areas nearby city corporations
TN has made very significant progress in poverty reduction through its welfare schemes
NITI Aayog has said that the people below poverty line in Tamil Nadu is only about 2.2 per cent
The Finance Minister also made a slew of announcements:
"Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam," a housing scheme named after the late DMK patriarch and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. As per the scheme, 8 lakh concrete houses will be constructed in rural areas across the state to make it 'hut-free' by 2030
Rs 300 crore for civic amenities including roads for areas nearby city corporations
Rs 1,500 crore for Adyar river restoration initiative
Rs 1,000 crore for development of rural roads
Rs 1,000 crore North Chennai Development scheme
Rs 13,720 crore allocated for Kalaignar Women Rights Scheme, the Rs 1,000 per month assistance plan for women
10,000 new women SHGs, credit linkages, outlines Rs 35,000 crore allocation
Rs 1,000 crore allocated for school infrastructure development under Prof Anbazhagan schools development plan
The college education expenses of third gender persons will be fully borne by govt
'Thozhi Viduthigal' new hostels for working women, allots Rs 26 crore
Coaching plan for 1,000 aspirants for SSC, railway and bank exams in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai
Follow highlights of the TN Budget with TNIE Tamil Nadu on X: