Lagatar24 Desk
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the 2025-26 state budget in the Legislative Assembly on March 14, amid the ruling DMK’s ongoing tussle with the BJP-led central government over issues like the three-language policy and delimitation.
This is the fifth budget presented by the DMK government since it came to power in 2021. With state elections scheduled next year, the budget carries significant political and developmental promises.
Notably, the Stalin government sparked a political row by replacing the rupee symbol (₹) with a Tamil letter in its budget logo, prompting sharp reactions from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who questioned why the DMK did not protest when the Congress-led UPA introduced the rupee symbol in 2010.
Here are the top 10 takeaways from the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26:
1. ₹3,500 Cr Allocated for Housing Scheme
The Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing scheme will provide one lakh new houses to underprivileged citizens. This initiative, named after former CM M. Karunanidhi, aims to ensure affordable housing for low-income families.
2. Promotion of Tamil Language and Literature
• 500 Tamil books will be translated into other languages through the State Textbook Corporation.
• Book fairs will be held in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.
• A World Tamil Olympiad will be conducted annually.
• ‘Agaram’, a language museum, will be established in Madurai.
3. A 2,000-Acre Global City Near Chennai
A massive 2,000-acre global city will be developed near Chennai. This will include schools, colleges, business hubs, residential spaces, parks, and wide roads. The project aims to create a self-sufficient modern urban ecosystem.
4. Expansion of CM Breakfast Scheme
The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme will now extend to government-aided schools in urban areas, benefiting around 3 lakh students. A budget of ₹600 crore has been allocated for this.
5. ₹20,000 Support for Gig Workers
The DMK government will provide ₹20,000 in financial aid to gig workers for purchasing e-scooters to facilitate their work.
6. Major Boost for Archaeological Excavations
Excavations will be conducted at eight sites in Tamil Nadu, including Keeladi, Telunganur, Vellalur, Adhichanur, Manikollai, Karivalamvanthannallur, Pattanamarudhur, and Nagapattinam.
Additionally, Tamil Nadu will lead excavations in Palur (Odisha), Venki (Andhra Pradesh), and Maski (Karnataka).
7. Reclaiming Temple Properties
• The Tamil Nadu government has retrieved 7,327 acres of temple land, 36.38 lakh sq ft of plots, and 5.98 lakh sq ft of buildings, valued at ₹7,185 crore.
• 84 temple tanks have been restored at a cost of ₹72 crore.
• ₹125 crore has been allocated for the restoration of temples over 1,000 years old.
8. Massive Investment in Transport and Metro Rail
• ₹3,000 crore for the Magalir Vidiyal Payanam Bus Travel Scheme.
• ₹1,782 crore for student bus fare subsidies.
• ₹1,857 crore for diesel subsidies.
• A total of ₹12,964 crore has been allocated for the transport sector.
Metro Rail Extensions:
• Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam Bus Terminus (15.46 km) – ₹9,335 crore.
• Koyambedu to Pattabiram via Avadi (21.76 km) – ₹9,744 crore.
• Poonamallee to Sunguvarchatram via Thiruperumbudur (27.9 km) – ₹8,779 crore.
These Metro expansion plans will be submitted to the Union Government for funding.
9. Feasibility Study for Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)
A study will explore implementing Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) and Semi High-Speed Railways to improve connectivity and reduce travel time between Tamil Nadu’s major cities.
10. DMK’s Political Statements Against Centre
• ₹2,150 crore meant for Samagra Shiksha scheme is allegedly withheld by the Centre, which DMK calls an attempt to blackmail Tamil Nadu into implementing NEP.
• The DMK government will fund the education shortfall itself, reaffirming its commitment to Tamil’s two-language policy over NEP’s three-language formula.
• The BJP’s ‘Hindi imposition’ and delimitation issue remain central to Tamil Nadu’s political battle against the Centre.
