DMK govt presents '7 grand Tamil dream' Budget for 2024-25 — Key highlights

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday, February 19, presented its budget premising the exercise on the "7 grand Tamil dream," which included social justice and women's welfare at the core.

Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the budget and made a slew of announcements. This included the "Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam," a housing scheme named after the late DMK patriarch and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

The Minister said that the state has made very significant progress in poverty reduction through its welfare schemes. "Tamil Nadu government committed to bring out of poverty, about 5 lakh very poor families in two years. NITI Aayog has said that the people below poverty line in Tamil Nadu is only about 2.2%," Thennarasu said.

The DMK government announces forming 10,000 new women SHGs, credit linkages, outlines ₹35,000 crore allocated.

Tamil Nadu government announces 'Thozhi Viduthigal' new hostels for working women, allots ₹26 crore.

₹13,720 crore allocated for Kalaignar Women Rights Scheme, the ₹1,000 per month assistance plan for women.

₹1,000 crore allocated for North Chennai Development scheme

₹1,500 crore allocated for the Adyar River restoration initiative.

₹1,000 crore allocated for the development of rural roads.

The state government extends the breakfast scheme for children to government-aided schools in rural areas, Rs 600 crore allocated.=

₹5 crore allocated for archaeological excavations in 8 places including areas in states like Kerala with Tamil links.

The state government announces coaching plan in budget for 1,000 aspirants for SSC, railway and bank exams in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai