Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu laid out the 2026-27 interim budget on Tuesday, focusing on election-year deliverables like enhanced welfare, educational excellence, sports prowess, and cultural landmarks. The assembly session at Fort St. George buzzed with anticipation as allocations were revealed.
Humanitarian efforts featured prominently, with mention of Rs 197 crore aid sent to Sri Lanka amid its turmoil, highlighting the state’s global outreach.
Sports development scores Rs 718 crore. Rural initiatives claim Rs 28,687 crore, special departments Rs 17,088 crore—including Tamil promotion abroad. Social pensions for widows, destitute women, and elders: Rs 5,463 crore.
Education gets the lion’s share: Rs 48,534 crore for K-12, Rs 8,505 crore for tertiary levels. Disabled welfare: Rs 1,471 crore, enforcing 4% reservations and promotions.
The CM’s breakfast scheme has revolutionized school attendance and outcomes, Thennarasu affirmed.
Cultural investments of Rs 285 crore herald new era museums—Thanjavur’s Chola centerpiece, Gangaikondacholapuram, Noyyal in Erode, Navai in Ramanathapuram, Egmore’s expanded ancient galleries, and Tiruvannamalai Tamil museum. Public acclaim for Kizhadhi and Porunai venues bodes well.
The minister hailed Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, the Rs 1,000 monthly stipend for women’s household work, as a trailblazing policy influencing peers nationwide.
In essence, Thennarasu’s budget weaves welfare, knowledge, and heritage into a tapestry of progress, positioning Tamil Nadu as a leader in inclusive governance.