The government of Tamil Nadu has presented the Budget for the year 2024-25 on February 19. Below are the Highlights of Tamil Nadu Budget 2024-25
HIGHLIGHTS FOR BUDGET ESTIMATES 2024-25
- Tamil Development
– The twin epics of Tamil literature, Silappathikaram and Manimegalai, will be translated into 25 Indian and foreign languages at a cost of Rs.2 crore.
– In order to translate literary works and spread the euphonious notes of Tamil language across the world, an allocation of Rs.2 crore will be made in the coming year.
– In order to ensure that Tamil flourishes in the rapidly advancing technological landscape, an allocation of Rs.5 crore will be made to enable startups to develop Natural Language Processing and Large Language Models based on machine learning and artificial intelligence.
– In order to enable future generations to appreciate the richness of Tamil language and the glorious history of Tamil people, a project to digitize rare books and documents will be undertaken at a cost of Rs.2 crore.
2. Documentation of Linguistic Resources of the Tribes
– With a view to documenting and preserving the Saurashtra and Baduga languages spoken in Tamil Nadu, along with the linguistic resources and phonetic forms of various tribes such as Todar, Kothar, Solagar, Kani and Narikuravar from an ethnographical perspective, the Government of Tamil Nadu will allocate Rs.2 crore in the coming year.
3. Rural Development
– To create a ‘Hut-Free Tamil Nadu’ by 2030, eight lakh concrete houses will be constructed in rural areas. In the first phase, one lakh new houses will be built at a unit cost of Rs.3.50 lakh per house in the coming year. For this, a new scheme, ‘Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam’, will be implemented in the coming year at a cost of Rs.3,500 crore, providing an opportunity for the poor to build their dream homes.
– Under the ‘Mudhalvarin Grama Salaigal Membattu Thittam’, road development works covering 2,000 km will be taken up at a cost of Rs.1,000 crore in the coming year.
– In the coming year, 2,000 new overhead tanks will be constructed in rural local bodies, at a cost of Rs.365 crore, replacing the old structures.
– In the rapidly growing extended areas adjacent to Municipal Corporations, various development works including upgradation of roads will be carried out in these areas, at an estimated cost of Rs.300 crore.
– A major project, aimed at restoring 5,000 water bodies, will be implemented through community participation under the guidance of leading scientific institutions, at an estimated cost of Rs.500 crore.
4. Poverty Alleviation
– In the next two years, this Government will launch the final assault on poverty, rescuing around five lakh of the poorest families from poverty by providing all the necessary Government assistance in an integrated manner through a grand initiative namely, ‘Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar scheme’.
5. Municipal Administration and Water Supply
– In the coming year, 4,457 km length of urban roads will be upgraded at a cost of Rs.2,500 crore through convergence of various schemes.
– Modern public infrastructure amenities including an urban public square with natural landscapes, exhibition halls and open-air theatres in Island Ground will be established at a cost of Rs.104 crore. In addition, beaches at Besant Nagar, Ennore, and Kovalam will be embellished with modern facilities at a cost of Rs.100 crore.
– A state-of-the-art Hi-tech Film City will be established in Poonamallee near Chennai, spanning approximately 150 acres, at an estimated cost of Rs.500 crore.
– The Adyar River which flows from Guduvanchery in Chengalpet district through Tambaram, Tiruneermalai, Manapakkam, Alandur and Saidapet before reaching the Bay of Bengal will undergo restoration and beautification through the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust. This initiative, with an estimated cost of around Rs.1,500 crore, will be implemented through public-private partnership.
– A new ‘Urban Greening Project’ will be implemented with active involvement of Green Tamil Nadu Mission, Non-Governmental Organizations and through community participation.
– Projects for provision of uninterrupted 24×7 drinking water supply will be initiated in Madurai and Salem Corporations in the coming year.
6. Water Supply
– The second phase of the Hogenakkal combined water supply scheme, which is successfully operating since 2007, will be undertaken at a cost of Rs.7,890 crore.
– A combined water supply scheme using Kollidam River as source will be implemented for providing water to approximately 65,000 people in Perambalur Municipality, and SIPCOT Industrial Complex located at Erayur and Padalur in Perambalur District, at an estimated cost of Rs.366 crore.
– In order to provide clean drinking water to approximately two lakh residents living in 216 rural habitations covering four Panchayat Unions in Namakkal district, namely Senthamangalam, Erumapatti, Kapilarmalai, and Paramathi, a combined
water supply scheme will be implemented with Cauvery river as the source, at a cost of Rs.358 crore.
– A combined water supply scheme, with Vaigai as the source, will be undertaken at a cost of Rs.565 crore to benefit approximately six lakh residents of 425 rural habitations in Dindigul Corporation, Chinnalapatti and Sevukambatti Town Panchayats, and Panchayat Unions of Attur, Nilakottai, and Vathalakundu.
7. Women Welfare
– Rs.1,000 per month is being directly deposited in the bank accounts of 1.15 crore women heads of households under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam. For this scheme, an amount of Rs.13,720 crore has been allocated in the coming year.
– The ‘Vidiyal Payana Thittam’ to provide free bus travel to women will be further extended to hilly areas of Nilgiris, Kodaikanal and Valparai from the coming year.
– The Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Puthumai Penn Thittam will be extended to girl students studying in Government-aided schools in Tamil medium. A sum of
Rs.370 crore will be allocated for the implementation of this scheme in the coming year.
7. Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme
– The scope of ‘The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme’ will be broadened to encompass Government-aided schools in rural areas of the State starting from the upcoming academic year, thus benefiting around 2.5 lakh students enrolled from Class I to Class V.
– In order to uplift the nutritional status of severely malnourished children in 0 to 6 months age group, a nutritional kit will be provided to their mothers.
– A total of 500 new anganwadis will be constructed at a cost of Rs.70 crore to ensure basic infrastructure facilities for anganwadis currently functioning in rented buildings.
– New ‘Thozhi’ hostels will be constructed this year in major cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai, at a cost of Rs.26 crore, benefiting 345 women.
– The Government will cover all educational expenses including tuition and hostel fees for transgender individuals who want to pursue higher education.
– A model home called ‘Poonjolai’ will be set up in Coimbatore with amenities such as skill training centre, counselling rooms, library, family members’ visiting room, medical examination room, park and playground for children.
8. School Education
– Construction of new classrooms at a cost of Rs.1,000 crore will be undertaken in the coming year.
– 15,000 smart classrooms will be established in the upcoming financial year at an estimated cost of Rs.300 crore.
9. Higher Education
– Civil infrastructure will be upgraded in Government Arts and Science colleges, Engineering colleges and Polytechnics at a cost of Rs.200 crore in the coming year.
– Computers and other scientific equipment, with Integrated Learning Management Systems, will be
provided to 236 Government educational institutions including Arts and Science, Engineering and Polytechnic colleges at a cost of Rs.173 crore.
– To kindle the quest for knowledge among citizens, especially youth, a grand library and science centre named after Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar will be set up in Coimbatore.
10. Naan Mudalvan
– New Skill Labs will be established in 100 Government and Government-aided Engineering, and Arts and Science colleges in the coming year at a cost of Rs.200 crore.
– With an objective of increasing the number of youth clearing Staff Selection Commission, Railway and Bank examinations, 1,000 candidates will be selected annually and provided quality training, with boarding and lodging facilities, for six months in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai regions. A sum of Rs.6 crore will be allocated for this purpose in the coming year.
– To help boys from poor and marginalized background, studying in Government schools, realize their dreams of higher education and transform them into achievers, a grand scheme “Tamizh Pudhalvan“ will be implemented from the coming financial year. This ambitious scheme will benefit around 3 lakh students and will be implemented at a cost of Rs.360 crore from the coming year. 1000 Rupees per month shall be paid to such boys perusing higher education.
– The Government will take proactive steps to ensure that education loans to the tune of Rs.2,500 crore.
Youth and Sports Welfare
– India’s first Tamil Nadu Olympic Water Sports Academy will be established in Pirappanvalasai in Ramanathapuram district.
Labour Welfare
– The Government will set up 10 new Government Industrial Training Institutes at a cost of Rs.111 crore.
Health and Family Welfare
– To expand the pioneering ‘Innuyir Kappom: Nammai Kaakkum -48 Thittam’, the maximum threshold for availing free of cost treatment during the first 48 hours post accident will be raised from one lakh rupees rupees to two lakh rupees.
11. Enhancing the Healthcare Infrastructure of Tamil Nadu
– Six intensive care units with 50 beds each, at an estimated cost of Rs.142 crore. A 100 bedded ICU will be constructed at Perundurai Government Medical College hospital in Erode district at an estimated cost of Rs.40 crore. Further, additional buildings will be constructed in 25 Taluk and non-Taluk hospitals at a cost of Rs.87 crore. The Tamil Nadu Government Dental College hospital in Chennai will also be upgraded at a cost of Rs.64 crore.
– De-Addiction Centres will be established in 25 Government Hospitals at a cost of Rs.20 crore.
12. Industrial Development
– SIPCOT will establish a new industrial park, spanning 300 acres near Sengipatti, at a cost of Rs.120 crore.
– A special scheme to offer a payroll subsidy of 10 per cent of the salary of women, differently abled and transgender employees for two years to all new industrial units providing direct employment to over 500 such individuals from Tamil Nadu will be introduced. In addition, creches for infant children
will be established in all major SIPCOT industrial estates under public-private partnership to support working women. A new tailor-made skill training programme will be introduced to facilitate women willing to re-enter the job market after taking a sabbatical for reasons such as marriage and pregnancy.
– TIDCO will establish a new ‘Space Industrial and Propellant Park’, at an extent of 2,000 acres, to promote space technology industries.
– In order to make Tamil Nadu as the prime destination for GCCs in India, the State will incentivise the creation of high paying jobs in new GCCs by providing a payroll subsidy of 30 per cent in the first year, 20 per cent in the second year and 10 per cent in the third year for jobs with pay above Rs.1,00,000 per month.
13. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
– Chennai will host the ‘Global Start-up Summit’ in January 2025, bringing together leading startups and accomplished young entrepreneurs from across the world.
– To identify and support enthusiastic and dynamic entrepreneurs capable of addressing diverse social development challenges, climate change needs, and improving public services, the Periyar Social Justice Venture Lab will be established.
– Three new industrial estates dedicated to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises will be established in Ottanchathiram Taluk in Dindigul District, Manamadurai Taluk in Sivagangai District and Thiruthuraipoondi Taluk in Thiruvarur District. at an estimated cost of Rs.32 crore.
– A four-storied industrial complex, with plug and play facilities, will be constructed at Kurichi Industrial Estate in Coimbatore district, over an extent of 1.2 acres at a cost of Rs.37 crore by TANSIDCO.
– A state-of-the-art Industrial Innovation Centre, covering an area of 26,500 sq.ft, will be constructed in Madurai at an approximate cost of Rs.24 crore.
– A three-storied industrial complex, spanning 5 acres of land, will be developed at Sakkimangalam Industrial Estate in Madurai district by TANSIDCO at a
cost of Rs.118 crore to create employment opportunities for 4,500 individuals.
– An incentive of Rs.2 per kg will be provided to the members of 16 co-operative tea factories who supplied green tea leaves during the last year. An amount of Rs.9 crore will be allocated for this purpose, benefiting approximately 27,000 small tea growers.
14. Information Technology
– The State Data Centre will be upgraded with cloud computing infrastructure and disaster data recovery facility by the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (ELCOT) at a cost of Rs.200 crore over the next five years.
– Free Wi-Fi services will be provided at 1,000 prime locations in all the Municipal Corporations.
– Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, the ‘Tamil Nadu Artificial Intelligence Mission’ will be established.
– A state-of-the-art IT Park in two phases will be constructed by ELCOT in Vilankurichi, covering an area
of 20 lakh sq. ft., at an estimated cost of Rs.1,100 crore.
15. Water Resources
– In Chennai and surrounding districts, 22 permanent flood prevention and mitigation works are being undertaken at a cost of Rs.350 crore. In the southern districts, works for permanent flood control are being undertaken at a cost of Rs.280 crore.
– Works for the second phase of ‘Extension, Renovation and Modernization of Grand Anicut Canal system will be undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs.400 crore in the coming year, thus benefiting an ayacut of 2.3 lakh acre in Thanjavur and Pudukottai Districts.
16. Green Energy
– New pumped storage hydro-electric power stations will be established under public-private partnership with an investment of approximately Rs.60,000 crore.
17. Climate Change
– The ‘Tamil Nadu Endangered Species Conservation Fund’ with a corpus of Rs.50 crore will be established.
– ‘TN-SHORE (Neithal Meetchi Iyakkam)’ has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs.1,675 crore. The Mission aims to restore coastal resources across 14 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu covering a stretch of 1,076 km.
– Major beaches across the State including Marina in Chennai, Ariyaman in Ramanathapuram, Kayalpattinam in Thoothukudi, Kodavilai in Tirunelveli, Kameswaram in Nagapattinam, Kattumavadi in Pudukottai, Silver beach in Cuddalore and Marakkanam in Villupuram will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs.250 crore to obtain blue flag certification.
18. Transport
– 3,000 new buses will be procured, and 500 electric buses will be procured and brought into operation with the financial assistance of KfW.
– The mini bus services will be extended to rural areas adjacent to rapidly growing urban areas, with revamped guidelines.
19. Chennai Metro Rail
– A 27-storied iconic building with heritage design, spanning approximately 10 lakh sq.ft., will be constructed opposite Chennai Central Railway Station at a cost of Rs.688 crore.
– A state-of-the-art integrated multi-modal bus terminus and office complex, equipped with ultra-modern amenities, will be developed at a cost of Rs.823 crore near the current Broadway bus terminus and Kuralagam building.
20. Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare
– The Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme that was launched last year with the objective of promoting entrepreneurs belonging to SC/ST communities has received widespread acclaim. A sum of Rs.120 crore will be allocated for this scheme in the coming year.
– In addition to this, under the recently launched ‘CM Arise’ scheme, entrepreneurs can avail loans up to Rs.10 lakh with 35 per cent interest subsidy. An allocation of Rs.50 crore will be earmarked in the coming year to implement this programme.
– The Iyothee Thass Pandithar Habitation Development Scheme will be implemented at a cost of Rs.230 crore in the next year. 120 community halls with facilities for marriage, indoor sports and training will be constructed at a cost of Rs.100 crore for the benefit of Adi Dravidar and Tribal communities.
– Girls’ hostels for college students in Chennai, Thanjavur, Dharmapuri and Namakkal districts and boys’ hostel for college students in Madurai district will be constructed at a cost of Rs.75 crore this year.
– In order to upgrade the basic amenities in tribal habitations and improve their living standards, a new scheme, ‘Tholkudi’, will be implemented in the next four years at an outlay of Rs.1,000 crore.
– A new scheme will be implemented at a cost of Rs.5 crore, wherein 1,000 selected tribal youth will be selected and provided skill training on latest industrial techniques, with accommodation facilities, through the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation to facilitate employment opportunities.
– For all schools functioning under the Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, smart class rooms will be constructed at a cost of Rs.36 crore in the year 2024-25.
21. Minorities Welfare
– A grant of Rs.10 crore will be provided for the repair and maintenance of mosques and dargahs this year.
– A grant of Rs.10 crore will be provided for the repair and renovation of churches in several places including Choolai in Chennai, Virudachalam in Cuddalore, and Idaikkattur in Sivagangai this year.
22. Welfare of Differently Abled Persons
– A ‘Centre of Excellence for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder’ will be established in Chennai at a cost of Rs.25 crore.
23. Animal Husbandry
– In order to strengthen animal sterilization project and to ensure effective operation of animal birth control centres across Tamil Nadu, an amount of Rs.20 crore will be allocated in this Budget Estimates.
24. Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare
– In the coming year, coastal protection and construction works such as bait arches, fish landing centres, dredging and artificial reefs at Kanniyakumari, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Thiruvallur, and Thoothukudi districts will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.450 crore.
25. Dairy Development
– Modernization initiatives for installing automated machines equipped with cutting-edge technology in dairy plants, including those in Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, and Salem will be undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs.60 crore.
26. Handlooms and Textiles
– In order to improve the quality of textile products with the help of modern technologies and to facilitate their market linkages, 10 mini textile parks will be established by the Government in various districts including Karur, Erode and Virudhunagar at a cost of Rs.20 crore.
– The Government will set up a dedicated ‘Research and Business Development Fund for Technical Textiles and Man Made Fibre’ with a corpus of Rs.25 crore. The capital subsidy for major investments under the existing policy for technical textiles will be increased from 15 per cent to 25 per cent and will be disbursed over a period of 10 years.
– The Government will introduce a special scheme for technological upgradation by providing interest subvention at 6 per cent, at an estimated cost of Rs.500 crore, over the next 10 years.
– An integrated complex for display of handlooms and handicrafts will be established in Chennai, at an estimated cost of Rs.227 crore.
– A new Artisans Development Scheme will be launched to provide New entrants seeking to join the handicraft sector 25 per cent subsidy linked with credit. An allocation of Rs.20 crore has been made for the implementation of this scheme.
27. Housing
– Single window system will be introduced to facilitate sanction of building permissions based on self-
certification, without requirement of completion certificate. Plot sizes up to 2,500 sq.ft. and built-up area up to 3,500 sq.ft. for the construction of residential structures having ground or ground plus one floor will be eligible for instant registration without the requirements of building permission.
28. Public Works
– A state-of-the-art ‘Kalaignar International Convention Centre’, spanning 3 lakh sq. ft. will be built in East Coast Road, Muttukadu, Chennai.
– A new Tamil Nadu House ‘Vaigai’ will be constructed at an extent of 3 lakh sq. ft. with traditional Dravidian architectural design in the capital city of New Delhi, at a cost of Rs.257 crore.
– An amount of Rs.50 crore will be allocated to renovate heritage buildings, and preserve their antiquity.
– A new Design Policy, ‘Future of Spaces’ for structural design will be released shortly.
29. Highways
– In the coming year, construction of an outer ring road in Sivakasi, ring road in Mannargudi, bypass road in
Dindigul, a high-level bridge connecting Trichy and Srirangam, widening of Avinasi to Mettupalayam road into a four-lane road and a bridge across Koraiyar River in Marangiyur –Enathimangalam road in Villupuram district will be undertaken, at an estimated cost of Rs.665 crore, under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP).
– The Cuddalore port, which has been inoperative for the past 40 years, has now been upgraded with additional facilities at a cost of Rs.150 crore. In addition, tenders have also been invited to increase the handling capacity of the port to 35 lakh tonnes of goods per annum.
– A bill to establish ‘Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority’ will be introduced in the current session.
30. Welfare of Ex-servicemen
– Rewarding the dedication and selfless service of our ex-servicemen, the property tax reimbursement scheme will be expanded to all ex-servicemen. As a result, more than 1.2 lakh ex-servicemen will be benefitted.
31. Welfare of Government Employees 24
– 60,567 persons have secured Government employment in the two and a half years since this Government assumed office. Moreover, the Government is taking proactive measures to fill up 10,000 posts in the current year.
– The Government will construct 95 Type-B and 133 Type-C quarters, encompassing a total plinth area of 3 lakh sq. ft. in Todhunter Nagar, Saidapet, Chennai, at a cost of Rs.147 crore.
32. Public Grievances
– Out of 20.31 lakh petitions received under Mudhalvarin Mugavari so far, 19.69 lakh petitions have been resolved.
– A new initiative called ‘Makkaludan Mudhalvar’ has been launched to redress public grievances in under 30 days pertaining to 13 key departments with high public interface.
– A new scheme called ‘Ungalai Thedi Ungal Ooril’ has been launched recently. Under this scheme, District Collectors will set up camp in one Taluk for one day every month.
33. Special Programme Implementation
– Our Hon’ble Chief Minister is conducting personal inspection and reviews for ensuring timey and hassle-free delivery of services. In order to ensure timely and hassle-free delivery of services and benefits to the people, our Hon’ble Chief Minister conducts periodical reviews and inspections on the status under the novel initiative, ‘Kala Aayvil Muthalamaichar’.
Finances of the State Government
– The Government is following the glide path of fiscal consolidation and has reduced it from 3.46 per cent in 2022-23 to 3.45 per cent in 2023-24 to 3.44 per cent in 2024-25. This has been achieved despite the impact of disasters and after an unprecedented allocation to TANGEDCO from within the budgetary resources. This Budget underscores the commitment of this Government to deliver on the promises made to the people, without wavering from the path of prudent fiscal management, in spite of numerous challenges.
Source: Tamil Nadu Finance Department
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