The Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thangam Thenarassu, unveiled the state's budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 in the TN Assembly on Monday.

This budget lays out a broad plan covering various sectors, from education and infrastructure to social welfare and cultural preservation.

A significant highlight of the budget is its emphasis on housing. The government aims to construct one lakh concrete houses in the fiscal year 2024-2025. By 2030, their goal is to build a total of eight lakh houses, each priced at Rs 3.5 lakh.

A financial aid package of 5 crores will be set aside to support language-based startups, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in this field.

In a bid to promote cultural events and showcase archaeological excavations, the government plans to establish an open auditorium in Keezhadi, with an investment of Rs 17 crore. Additionally, archaeological work will be carried out in eight other locations.

The budget allocates Rs 500 crore for the restoration of 5,000 lakes and ponds, and Rs 365 crore for the construction of 2,000 new overhead tanks to tackle water scarcity.

A film city is also in the works under a public-private partnership on the outskirts of Chennai, with an investment of Rs 500 crore aimed at boosting the state's film industry.

Plans for the restoration and beautification of the Adyar river, costing Rs 1,500 crores, as well as investments totaling Rs 1,100 crores for the development of Chennai and North Chennai, highlight the government's focus on urban renewal.

Over the next three years, the government aims to translate an additional 600 important books into Tamil, enriching the cultural and literary landscape of the state.

The government also introduced the Thaayumanavar poverty eradication scheme, targeting five lakh poor families with specific assistance to uplift them from poverty.

In a move to empower women, free bus rides will be extended to hilly areas, including The Nilgiris and Kodaikkanal, promoting accessibility and inclusivity.

Efforts to promote education and uplift marginalized communities include the launch of the Pududhumai Penn Scheme for students of government-aided colleges and an allocation of Rs 2 crores for providing translated Tamil works in renowned universities worldwide.

The government will also establish Thozhiyar Vidhuthi (transgender hostels) in Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore, with an investment of Rs 26 crore. They will also cover higher education costs for transgender individuals, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.

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