TN Budget Highlights: Here Are The Key Announcements By DMK Govt

While presenting the budget, the finance minister said that the state's revenue for the fiscal year is estimated at Rs 2,60,409.26 crore, whereas expenditure is estimated at Rs 2,61,188.57 crore.

TN Budget Highlights

Chennai: Almost three months after coming to power, the DMK government present its first budget at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai on Friday. The revised budget for the financial year 2021-22 is the first paperless budget session conducted in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly.

Ahead of presenting the budget, Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan released a white paper on state finance earlier this week. The government has decided to present a separate budget for the Agriculture department on Saturday. While presenting the budget, the finance minister said that the state's revenue for the fiscal year is estimated at Rs 2,60,409.26 crore, whereas expenditure is estimated at Rs 2,61,188.57 crore. The revenue deficit is estimated to be Rs 58,692.68 crore. 

Highlights: 

• Tamil Nadu government reduces state excise duty on petrol by Rs 3. As result, the government will incur a loss of Rs 1160 crores.
• Loan to a tune of Rs 2756 crore availed by Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be waived off.
• 1000 check dams to be constructed in 10 years.
• Defence industrial park to come up in Coimbatore in about 500 acres.
• Rs 703 crore granted as subsidy for free bus travel for women.
• Rs 1725 crores allotted to the mid-day meals scheme.
• Seawater desalination plant with a capacity of 60 MLD to come up in Thoottukudi.
• Tamil Nadu government to renovate Mosques and Churches at the cost of Rs 6 crores.
• Rs 4142.33 crores allocated to the Adi Dravidar and tribal welfare department.
• Rs 48.48 crores allotted for upgrading anganwadi centres.
• Rs 1.50 crore is allocated for the transgender's pension scheme.
• Rs 100 crore is allotted to renovate chariots and restore tanks at 100 temples in the state.
• Integrated bus stand to come up in Trichy.
• Industrial parks to come up in Theni, Tirunelveli and Ranipet districts.
• Tamil Nadu government extends the maternity leave to 12 months.
• Tamil Nadu government allocates Rs 165 crore to set up FinTech city at Nandambakkam.
• Rs 257.16 crores allocated to Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (healthcare at doorstep) scheme.
• Rs 18933.20 crores allocated to the health and family welfare department.
• Tamil Nadu government increases the number of free ambulances to 1303.
• Rs 32,599.54 crores allotted to the school education department.
• Rs 5369.09 crores allotted to the higher education department.
• Rs 10 crores allocated to set up smart classrooms in 25 Arts and Science colleges in the state.
• Efforts will be made to make Tamil as the official language in Secretariat and other departments.
• Rs 5 crore is allotted to continue excavation at its Archaeological sites including Keeladi.
• Rs 2,000 crore is allotted to provide drinking water through Jal Shakthi scheme.