Vijay’s first Budget test: Big promises, big spending and big expectations

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson presented the first Budget of the C Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in the state Assembly on Wednesday, outlining several welfare-focused initiatives and allocations.

The Budget included major election promise-based schemes, with more than Rs 1,000 crore allocated towards providing gold gifts, livestock support and assistance programmes for various sections of society.

Gold coin and silk saree scheme for brides

Under the ‘Annan Seer Thittam’, the Tamil Nadu government announced that eligible brides will receive an eight-gram gold coin and a silk saree on their wedding day.

Finance Minister Marie Wilson said the scheme was based on the government’s promise made during the Assembly election. An allocation of Rs 812 crore has been provided for the programme in the revised Budget estimates.

The government described the initiative as a support measure for women during marriage celebrations.

One-gram gold ring for newborn babies

The government also announced the ‘Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’, under which every child born in a government hospital will receive a one-gram gold ring.

The scheme has been allocated Rs 560 crore.

The Finance Minister said the initiative aims to encourage childbirth in government hospitals and recognise the importance of maternal and child healthcare.

Tamil Nadu currently records one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the country, with 11 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the data cited during the Budget speech.

Free goats and cows for vulnerable groups

Under the ‘Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme’, the government announced 100% subsidy for five goats or sheep for destitute widows, deserted women, transgender persons and persons with disabilities.

The scheme is expected to benefit around 30,000 people with an allocation of Rs 110 crore.

The government also announced free milch cows for 10,000 eligible women every year to support rural livelihoods and increase milk production. A provision of Rs 57 crore has been made for the scheme.

Support for fishermen

The Budget increased lean-period fishing assistance from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per family.

The revised support will benefit around 1.93 lakh fishing families, with an allocation of Rs 135 crore.

The government also announced interest subsidies for deep-sea fishing boats with modern processing facilities.

Chennai electric bus expansion

The government announced plans to procure 1,000 new air-conditioned electric buses for Chennai’s Metropolitan Transport Corporation.

A separate allocation of Rs 500 crore has been made for electrical and mechanical infrastructure at bus depots.

AI city and technology push

The Budget announced the creation of ‘Arivagam’, described as India’s first dedicated AI and innovation city.

The proposed facility will include an AI university, skill development centre, semiconductor testing facilities and innovation hubs.

The government also announced the TN AI Mission, which aims to use artificial intelligence in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education and public services.

NEET opposition and education announcements

During the Budget speech, the Tamil Nadu government urged the Union government to abolish NEET and restore medical admissions based on Class 12 marks.

Other education-related announcements included:

• A new specialised Government Law College in Madurai
• AI training for five lakh engineering, polytechnic and ITI students and faculty members by 2031
• Expansion of skill training programmes for youth
• Rs 2,000 crore allocation for the Vetri Laptop Scheme
• Environmental and social welfare measures
• The government announced the creation of new mangrove forests across eight coastal districts under the TN-SHORE scheme.

It also announced:

• ‘Thai Care’ maternity support centres for pregnant women
• ‘Aran’ shelter homes for transgender persons facing social challenges
• Mobile geriatric treatment centres for senior citizens
• Infrastructure development schemes for tribal and Adi Dravidar communities

Opposition criticises Budget

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised the TVK government’s first Budget, calling it a “big zero”.

He alleged that several announcements were renamed versions of schemes introduced by the previous DMK government.

Udhayanidhi also accused the government of failing to fulfil election promises and claimed that some schemes were being presented under new names. The TVK government defended the Budget as a roadmap focused on welfare, technology, infrastructure and social support.

TVK government’s maiden Tamil Nadu Budget focuses on welfare promises, announcing gold gifts for brides and newborns, support schemes for women and fishermen, electric buses, AI development plans and new education initiatives.

The schemes announced in the Tamil Nadu Budget involve significant financial commitments, but their implementation will depend on budget allocations, administrative planning and the government’s ability to manage resources. Providing gold items, laptops, livestock support and large infrastructure projects requires sustained funding and effective delivery systems. While such welfare measures can offer direct benefits to targeted groups, questions may arise over long-term fiscal sustainability, especially when multiple schemes are introduced together. The government will need to ensure that allocations match actual expenditure and that benefits reach eligible beneficiaries as promised.