Presenting the Budget, the minister said the financial statement had been prepared after incorporating suggestions from farmers and agricultural exporters. He added that the Budget was framed in line with the Chief Minister's long-term vision for the state's agricultural development.

Vinoth said the government would continue all ongoing agricultural schemes while introducing several new initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector. He stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of the economy and said no other sector could function effectively if agriculture was neglected.

Ahead of the presentation, DMK MLAs arrived at the Assembly wearing black shirts as a mark of protest.

TN Agriculture Budget 2026 Highlights

*. The government has allocated Rs 122.51 crore to launch the Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission aimed at protecting soil fertility across the state

*. Minister Vinoth announced that the government has earmarked Rs 34.72 crore under a special State government scheme for the production of paddy seeds and subsidy on their distribution.

*. The government will launch an AI-powered farmer application to provide personalised digital services to cultivators, with Rs 2 crore allocated for the initiative in the 2026–27 Agriculture Budget.

*. Rs 203.64 crore allocated for a Self-Sufficiency Mission for Pulses and Oilseed Crops to boost domestic production and reduce dependence on imports.

*. Rs 63.81 crore allocated for the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission to increase the cultivation area, production, and productivity of millets across the state under the theme "Ancient Tamil food, enduring healthy living."

*. Rs 7.61 crore allocated for the Tamil Nadu Minor Millets Mission to double the cultivation of minor millets such as little millet, foxtail millet, kodo millet, barnyard millet, and proso millet, promoting them as nutritious and climate-resilient crops.

*. Rs 30 lakh allocated to establish demonstration plots for cultivating high-nutrition crops such as quinoa, buckwheat, and brown top millet, with the aim of promoting the revival of neglected grains.

*. Rs 27.21 crore allocated for the Cotton Revival Mission to boost cotton production, improve crop quality, and enhance farmers' income.

*. Rs 36 crore allocated for the Maize Production Enhancement Scheme to increase maize cultivation, improve productivity, and boost farmers' income.

*. Rs 17.70 crore allocated for the Agroforestry Scheme to promote permanent green cover on farmlands by encouraging tree plantation alongside agricultural crops.

*. Rs 7.35 crore allocated for the Wild Boar Crop Damage Prevention Scheme to protect farmlands from wild boar attacks and reduce crop losses.

*. Rs 3.4 crore allocated to establish 50 village-level farm machinery rental centres with 80% subsidy, with 30% of the centres reserved for women self-help groups (SHGs).

*. Rs 8.5 crore allocated to create 500 farm ponds with 100% subsidy and desilt 500 existing farm ponds with 75% subsidy to improve on-farm water conservation and irrigation.

*. Rs 6 crore allocated to provide back-ended subsidy for borewells or tube wells for 500 general category farmers, with a maximum subsidy of 60%, to bring 1,000 acres under irrigation.

*. Rs 23 crore allocated to install solar-powered off-grid pump sets for 1,000 farmers with up to 80% subsidy, promoting sustainable irrigation and reducing dependence on conventional power sources.

*. Rs 8.13 crore allocated to establish 50 integrated farm machinery rental business centres for crop cultivation and value addition, improving farmers' access to modern agricultural equipment.

*. Rs 49.4 lakh allocated for a pilot Blue-Green Horticulture Project in coastal districts to establish freshwater wells and promote the cultivation of chillies and coriander.

*. Rs 2.8 crore allocated to provide threshing floors to 100 farmers with 50% subsidy, helping reduce post-harvest losses and improve grain handling.

*. Rs 20.31 crore allocated to procure 463 agricultural machines and implements to strengthen the e-Vaadagai 2.0 app-based farm machinery rental service offered by the Agricultural Engineering Department.

*. Rs 1.12 crore allocated with 50% subsidy to establish 15 agricultural machinery repair and maintenance centres to improve equipment servicing and reduce downtime for farmers.

*. Rs 46.37 lakh allocated to conduct 100% subsidised end-to-end mechanisation demonstrations across 225 acres for maize, groundnut, black gram, and coconut cultivation.

*. Rs 4.6 crore allocated to establish Agricultural Engineering Extension and Training Centres in Tirukkovilur, Musiri, Karaikudi, Dharapuram, and Kumbakonam to enhance farmer training and technology adoption.

*. Tamil Nadu to set up a Farmers' Income Enhancement Commission with an allocation of Rs 5.20 crore to boost farmers' earnings beyond crop yields.

*. Tamil Nadu will establish new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), providing an equity grant of Rs 5,000 per member, with Rs 12 crore allocated for the initiative.

*. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 4.80 crore to establish 1,000-metric-tonne storage warehouses at two regulated market yards, aimed at improving crop storage and helping farmers secure better prices.

*. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 3 crore to establish four primary processing centres and upgrade infrastructure at two dedicated agri-business complexes to promote value addition and enhance farmers' income.

*. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 5 crore to establish a new Agricultural Technology Research Centre in Ooty, Nilgiris, to promote chemical-free farming and create better market opportunities for farmers' produce.

*. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 5 crore to establish the Nammalvar College of Organic Agriculture at Sakkottai in Thanjavur district, offering a diploma programme to promote organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices.

*. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 6 crore to procure new buses for the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore to facilitate field training for students.

*. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 20 crore to renovate Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers' markets) across the State, aiming to strengthen direct farm-to-consumer sales and improve farmers' income.

*. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 2 crore to install electronic price display boards in 50 Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers' markets) to ensure transparent pricing and help farmers and consumers access real-time market rates.

*. The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs 4 crore to establish an Agricultural Intelligence and Market Excellence Centre that will provide farmers with market intelligence, price forecasts and weather-based advisories to support informed farming decisions and improve incomes.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the government would roll out a Seed Cane Subsidy Scheme to encourage farmers registered with cooperative and public sector sugar mills to adopt modern planting techniques.

Under the scheme, farmers opting for wider row planting using bud chip seedlings and single-budded setts of high-yielding, high sugar recovery varieties will receive planting materials at a 50 per cent subsidy. The government has earmarked Rs 9.36 crore, and the initiative will cover 17,315 acres during 2026-27.

The government also announced a Sugarcane Cultivation Development Programme, with an allocation of Rs 9 crore, to promote breeder seed cane, tissue culture seedlings, de-trashing, trash shredding and mulching, besides extending support for micronutrients and bio-fertilisers to improve productivity and lower cultivation costs.

In a move aimed at diversifying the sugar sector, Vinoth said the government would prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and feasibility study for setting up a 100 KLPD ethanol distillery at the Kallakurichi-I Cooperative Sugar Mill in partnership with the Kallakurichi-II and Chengalrayan cooperative sugar mills. A sum of Rs 20 lakh has been allocated for the study.

Presented in the Assembly on Thursday, the Budget steers clear of any target to increase the State's paddy cultivation area or production, a notable departure from the previous Agriculture Budget, which had consistently projected higher paddy acreage, foodgrain output and procurement as the cornerstone of the State's agricultural policy. Instead, the government has rolled out a series of new missions aimed at boosting pulses, oilseeds, cotton and millets, while pitching soil health and technology-driven farming as the next phase of agricultural growth.

In contrast, the DMK government's Interim Agriculture Budget highlighted the expansion of Kuruvai cultivation by nearly three lakh acres, enhanced procurement incentives for paddy and sugarcane, higher foodgrain production and continued investments in irrigation infrastructure. Paddy occupied the centre stage, with the government showcasing both acreage expansion and higher procurement prices as indicators of its agricultural strategy.

The TVK government, however, has adopted a different approach. Its maiden Agriculture Budget lays out ambitious five-year missions for soil fertility, pulses, edible oilseeds, cotton and minor millets, besides introducing Artificial Intelligence-based advisory services and continuing free power, crop insurance and irrigation initiatives. It has also set an overall target of raising foodgrain production over the next five years, but without spelling out a corresponding strategy to expand paddy cultivation, the State's staple crop.

The omission assumes significance against the backdrop of a steady decline in paddy acreage in several parts of Tamil Nadu due to rising cultivation costs, labour shortages and changing climatic conditions. Farmer organisations have repeatedly urged successive governments to arrest the decline through higher procurement prices and stronger policy support.

Special buses will be operated from the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, Kilambakkam, to Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Tirupur. A total of 430 buses will be operated on August 7 and 465 buses on August 8.

From the CMBT, Koyambedu, special buses will be operated to Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur and Bengaluru. 110 buses will be operated on both August 7 and 8. In addition, 200 special buses will be operated from Bengaluru, Tirupur, Erode and Coimbatore to various destinations.

From the Madhavaram Bus Terminus, special buses will be operated to Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Vellore, Hosur and Puducherry. 80 special buses will be operated on both August 7 and 8.

To facilitate passengers returning to Chennai and Bengaluru from their hometowns, 410 special buses will also be operated from various parts of the State on August 9.

So far, 8,570 passengers have booked tickets for Friday (August 7), 3,158 passengers for Saturday (August 8), and 8,953 passengers for Sunday (August 9), taking the total number of bookings to 20,681. The number is expected to increase further in the coming days.

Additional officials have been deployed at major bus terminals to monitor the operation of the special services. Passengers can book tickets in advance through the TNSTC mobile app or the www.tnstc.in website.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the government would implement the Agricultural Mechanisation Scheme at an outlay of Rs 227.20 crore, benefiting 24,000 farmers during 2026-27.

Under the scheme, 8,870 power tillers, 5,090 power weeders, 1,400 rotavators and 855 tractors will be distributed with a subsidy. The government has also enhanced the maximum subsidy for installing solar dryers from Rs 3.50 lakh to Rs 4.40 lakh, while women farmers will be given priority in the distribution of machinery.

To improve access to modern equipment, the government will establish 50 village-level Agricultural Machinery Custom Hiring Centres, each eligible for an 80 per cent subsidy, subject to a ceiling of Rs 8 lakh. Notably, 30 per cent of the scheme allocation has been earmarked for Women Self-Help Groups.

The Budget also proposes the establishment of 50 Integrated Agricultural Machinery Hiring Business Centres offering machinery for cultivation as well as value-addition activities. The centres will receive 75 per cent subsidy for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, women entrepreneurs and agricultural engineering graduates, while other entrepreneurs will be eligible for 50 per cent subsidy. The scheme carries an allocation of Rs 8.13 crore.

Vinoth said the initiatives are aimed at reducing cultivation costs, ensuring timely farm operations and enabling farmers to overcome labour shortages through greater adoption of mechanisation while creating new opportunities for rural entrepreneurship.

While rejecting his plea to condone his absence from court on August 6, Judge C Sundarapandian, VII Metropolitan Magistrate (FAC), George Town, noted that the Madras High Court had dismissed Ponmudy's challenge to the magistrate's cognisance order in July. The judged pointed out that the High Court had directed the trial court to complete the trial within six months.

Adding that his absence would hinder the proceedings, the judge issued the non-bailable warrant against Ponmudy.

The case stems from suo motu proceedings initiated by the Madras High Court. Those proceedings were later closed after the then DMK-run State government informed the court that the complaints had been investigated and closed for want of material, while granting liberty to the complainants to approach the jurisdictional magistrate.

Later, Uma Anandan of the BJP, a Greater Chennai Corporation councillor, filed a private complaint under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Finding a prima facie case, the Metropolitan Magistrate took cognisance of the complaint and issued summons to Ponmudy.

Aggrieved by the cognisance order and the summons, Ponmudy filed a criminal revision case before the High Court. By an order dated July 2, the High Court dismissed the petition, noting that Ponmudy had deliberately and maliciously insulted the Hindu religion, its customs, practices and beliefs, thereby outraging the religious feelings of Hindus.

Despite being fully aware that his speech would reach a wider audience through social and electronic media, he intentionally made the remarks to promote atheist ideology, and tarnish and degrade those who did not subscribe to his ideology, the judge had said.

A special police team secured him from a house in the Kodaikanal hills, where he was reportedly hiding, and brought him to the CB-CID office in Dindigul for inquiry.

The arrest came a day after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed his bail petition, observing that granting bail to the petitioner and another accused, Jayaprakash, at this stage would hamper the investigation. The court also referred to the documentary evidence produced by the prosecution while rejecting the bail plea.

According to the CB-CID, Justin Manikandan, along with Jayaprakash, allegedly colluded with another key accused, advocate Anwardeen, in the fraudulent registration of the property.

Police also conducted a search at the residence of Jayaprakash in Oddanchatram. Later, they brought eight persons, including his wife, Senbagamathi, to Dindigul for questioning. Investigators are questioning them to ascertain Jayaprakash's whereabouts and identify persons who may have been in close contact with him.

The investigation also revealed that the then Sub-Registrar, Balasundar, had specifically recorded in the minutes book, after completing the initial registration process, that the temple authorities had filed a writ appeal challenging the court order directing the registration of the document. However, despite these remarks, Justin Manikandan allegedly completed the registration process by assigning the document number.

Initially, the Palani Adivaram police booked Sub-Registrar Justin Manikandan, school teacher Murugadas (56) of Salamedu in Villupuram district, and others. The investigation was later transferred to the CB-CID, which expanded the case by naming 11 accused, including the Sub-Registrar.

The CB-CID had earlier arrested Murugadas, who allegedly executed the sale deed, purchasers Vellathurai (60) and Sethupathi (67), and advocate Anwardeen (65) of Goundankulam near Palani. All four were remanded to judicial custody at the Madurai Central Prison.

On Wednesday, the Dindigul Judicial Magistrate-I Court granted the CB-CID three days' police custody of the four accused for interrogation. They were subsequently brought to the CB-CID office in Dindigul for questioning.

Speaking to reporters after participating in the Assembly proceedings, Udhayanidhi said the Agriculture Budget contained no major new announcements. He alleged that farmers had been severely affected during the present regime due to water scarcity and the government's failure to waive crop loans.

"The DMK will raise vital issues such as the Mekedatu dam project and the Cauvery water dispute through an adjournment motion. We have already submitted a notice in this regard. The Chief Minister should respond to the questions that we raise in the Assembly," Udhayanidhi said.

Speaking on the issue, he alleged that Karnataka had categorically stated it would neither release the due share of Cauvery water nor comply with Tamil Nadu's demand.

Referring to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's proposal to hold talks with Karnataka, Udhaynithi claimed that the Karnataka Chief Minister had responded by saying there was no need for such a visit and that the state would not release water.

"The Mekedatu issue is becoming more serious by the day. Tamil Nadu is not getting its rightful share of Cauvery water. Karnataka has openly declared that it cannot and will not release water," Udhayanidhi said.

Alleging that the government had failed to demonstrate unity on the Cauvery issue, the Leader of the Opposition said the DMK had repeatedly urged the government to convene an all-party meeting, but its demand had been ignored.

"The Chief Minister should break his silence on this issue. The Agriculture Budget contains no new announcements, and the government has merely renamed some existing schemes and presented them as new initiatives," Udhayanidhi alleged.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the initiative is aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity by ensuring the timely availability of quality seeds for major field crops.

Citing studies that show certified seeds can increase crop yields by up to 25 per cent, the Minister said the Tamil Nadu State Seed Development Agency would establish seed farms in government farms as well as farmers' fields for crops including paddy, millets, pulses, oilseeds and cotton.
The agency will procure 43,400 metric tonnes of certified seeds for Rs 250 crore and distribute them to cultivators at subsidised rates through various Union and State government schemes.

The programme is expected to benefit nearly 10 lakh farmers, while ensuring a steady supply of genetically pure and high-quality seeds for major cropping seasons.

Vinoth said the availability of quality seeds is one of the most critical factors in improving agricultural output and farm productivity.

Strengthening the seed production and distribution network, he added, would help farmers achieve better yields without proportionately increasing cultivation costs.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers’ Welfare Minister Vinoth said the ‘Vetri Illatharasi Veetu Thottam’ scheme would be launched with an allocation of Rs 10 crore to encourage families to cultivate vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants at home.

Under the initiative, beneficiaries will be provided with grow bag kits, vertical gardens and hydroponic garden systems, enabling residents of apartments in urban areas and households in rural regions to produce fresh, chemical-free food using natural manures. The Minister said the scheme aims to improve nutritional security while promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

Complementing the initiative, the government also announced the Tamil Nadu Micro Greens Scheme, a first-of-its-kind programme to popularise the cultivation of nutrient-rich microgreens among the public.

As part of the scheme, 20,000 microgreen kits containing seeds, seedling trays, cocopeat blocks, hand sprayers and user manuals will be distributed in Chennai, Coimbatore and Tiruchirappalli.

Microgreens—young seedlings of crops such as broccoli, cabbage, radish, green gram, chickpea, onion and leafy vegetables, are considered significantly more nutritious than mature plants. The government has allocated Rs 1.20 crore for implementing the programme during 2026-27.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers’ Welfare Minister Vinoth said the mission aims to substantially expand the area under pulses and edible oilseed cultivation while improving productivity through focused interventions backed by Union and State funding.

The Minister said Rs 65.28 crore has been earmarked for pulses and Rs 138.36 crore for edible oilseeds under the mission during the implementation period.

As part of the initiative, the government plans to increase the area under pulses—including black gram, red gram, green gram and cowpea—from 15.19 lakh acres to 24.70 lakh acres over the next five years. Production is targeted to nearly double from 3.88 lakh metric tonnes to 7.72 lakh metric tonnes.

Similarly, the area under edible oilseeds such as groundnut, sesame, sunflower and castor is proposed to be expanded from 9.26 lakh acres to 14.89 lakh acres, while production is expected to rise from 8.77 lakh metric tonnes to 16.14 lakh metric tonnes.

Vinoth said enhancing domestic production of pulses and oilseeds was crucial for ensuring food and nutritional security while improving farm incomes by encouraging crop diversification in suitable agro-climatic regions.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture - Farmers’ Welfare Minister Vinoth said the Government of India had discontinued subsidy support for paddy seed production and distribution from the current financial year. However, considering the importance of quality seeds in improving productivity and responding to farmers’ demands, the State had decided to continue the programme without interruption.

Under the scheme, the government will provide a Paddy Seed Production Subsidy to farmers who register seed farms for producing 7,730 metric tonnes of certified paddy seeds, which will be supplied to the Tamil Nadu State Seed Development Agency.

In addition, a Paddy Seed Distribution Subsidy will be extended to enable the supply of 14,570 metric tonnes of certified paddy seeds to cultivators at subsidised prices ahead of the cropping season.

The Minister said ensuring the timely availability of quality seeds remained one of the government’s priorities as certified seeds play a crucial role in improving crop productivity and stabilising production. By sustaining the subsidy despite the Centre’s withdrawal, the State aims to protect farmers from higher input costs while ensuring uninterrupted access to quality planting material.

The government has earmarked Rs 34.72 crore from the State exchequer for implementing the scheme during 2026-27.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers’ Welfare Minister Vinoth said the initiative would leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to provide farmers with timely, location-specific advisories covering the entire crop cycle—from sowing to harvest.

The platform will offer scientific recommendations on soil fertility management, weather forecasts, pest and disease control, and crop selection based on prevailing agro-climatic conditions, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and minimise production risks.

Besides technical advisories, the AI-enabled service will provide market intelligence, voice-based agricultural assistance and seamless access to information on various government schemes through mobile phones, making agricultural extension services more accessible to cultivators across the State.

“The government recognises that timely information is as crucial to farmers as timely rainfall. This initiative will ensure scientific knowledge reaches every farmer at the right time,” Vinoth said while announcing the scheme.

The government has earmarked Rs 2 crore from the State Budget for implementing the initiative during 2026-27.

The AI platform forms part of the government’s broader strategy to integrate digital technologies into agriculture, strengthen extension services and promote knowledge-based farming practices. By combining data-driven analytics with field-level requirements, the scheme aims to improve productivity, reduce crop losses and help farmers respond more effectively to changing weather conditions and emerging pest threats.

The Minister said the crop loans would help farmers meet the credit requirements for cultivation during the year.

"Crop loans to the tune of Rs 17,000 crore will be provided to meet the short-term agricultural credit requirements for crop cultivation," the Budget document stated.

In addition, the government will extend Rs 3,000 crore in working capital loans to support allied agricultural activities such as animal husbandry, fisheries and other farm-related enterprises.

To improve the livelihood of landless members of the Scheduled Caste community, the government will provide medium-term and capital loans through cooperative banks for livestock rearing.

Highlighting the progress made so far, the Minister said that as of July 15, crop loans worth Rs 159.41 crore had been disbursed to 12,752 farmers during the current financial year. During the same period, livestock maintenance loans amounting to Rs 140.91 crore had been provided to 19,324 beneficiaries.

The Minister also said that Rs 5,267 crore had been disbursed in four instalments under the crop loan waiver scheme.

To encourage livestock rearing, the government announced a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each for 5,000 indigenous cattle owned by Women Self-Help Group members.

The Agriculture Budget further proposed the establishment of 500 medium-scale dairy farms and 5,000 mini dairy units to promote dairy entrepreneurship, increase milk production, generate year-round employment and improve the livelihoods of milk producers, particularly women.

Under the scheme, 500 eligible candidates, including 100 women, will undergo professional drone operator training through the Remote Pilot Training Organisation of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). The State government will bear the entire training cost of Rs 1.50 crore, besides facilitating the issuance of drone pilot licences.

To encourage women entrepreneurs in precision agriculture, the government will provide a 50 per cent subsidy for the purchase of agricultural drones to 50 trained women, with an allocation of Rs 2.50 crore from the State fund.

Vinoth said drones are increasingly transforming sectors such as agriculture, construction, freight transport, surveillance and disaster management. In farming, the technology enables faster and more precise application of fertilisers and pesticides, crop monitoring and field assessment, significantly reducing dependence on manual labour while improving operational efficiency.

Drawing a parallel with the government's 'Singappen' initiative for women, the Minister said the State now aims to build a 'Vaanmagal Force' that will support modern agriculture through advanced drone technology.
The initiative is expected to accelerate the adoption of precision farming, create skilled employment for rural women and strengthen technology-driven agriculture across Tamil Nadu.

Presenting the budget in the Legislative Assembly, Tamil Nadu Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare R Vinoth allocated Rs 2 crore from state funds for the scheme, which will integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to modernise agricultural extension services.

Under the new initiative, comprehensive technical advisories covering the entire crop cycle, from sowing to harvest, will be delivered through mobile devices. The automated services will encompass localised weather forecasts, soil health and fertility management, pest and disease outbreak alerts, and tailored crop recommendations suited to prevailing agro-climatic conditions.

To bridge the accessibility gap for rural cultivators, the government is introducing 'Voice-First Agriculture Services'. This feature will allow farmers to access knowledge-based agricultural advisories, real-time market intelligence, and details of government welfare schemes seamlessly via voice queries on their mobile phones.

Highlighting the sector's digital evolution, the budget document noted that Tamil Nadu's agriculture has transitioned from traditional subsistence farming to a technology-driven, science-based model centred on farmer prosperity. The integration of AI builds upon earlier digital interventions, such as the 'Uzhavar' mobile application introduced in 2021, which established data-driven management in the state's farm sector.

The digital advisory mechanism will also link with broader farmer identification frameworks. As part of its soil management efforts, the state announced that Soil Health Cards will be provided to around three lakh farmers who have obtained a Farmer Identification Number (FID), leveraging combined Union and State allocations of Rs 6.16 crore, alongside a separate state allocation of Rs 4 crore for another one lakh farmers.

Alongside the digital push, the state government is upgrading its physical infrastructure to support technology dissemination. The budget earmarked Rs 27.82 crore from Union and State funds to construct eight new Integrated Agricultural Extension Centres equipped with 300-metric tonne capacity godowns in districts including Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, Virudhunagar, Theni, Thoothukudi, and Coimbatore.

These integrated extension centres, which are part of the state's existing physical infrastructure network that is currently being upgraded, serve as one-stop facilities where farmers can access technical advisories, modern technology guidance, and departmental schemes under a single roof.

Furthermore, the state will organise a statewide Agriculture Expo at an outlay of Rs 3 crore to demonstrate modern agricultural technologies, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), value-addition machinery, and smart farming practices to growers and the public.

The government stated that providing timely information is as critical to agricultural outcomes as timely rainfall, emphasising that data-driven tools will ensure fairness, transparency, and efficiency in scheme implementation.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture - Farmers’ Welfare Minister Vinoth said the mission seeks to improve soil productivity through scientific interventions while ensuring that fertile agricultural land is preserved for future generations. The initiative comes amid growing concerns over declining soil organic carbon, excessive use of chemical fertilisers and deteriorating soil quality across the State.

As part of the mission, the government will distribute Soil Health Cards to one lakh farmers through State funding, besides extending the programme to around three lakh farmers holding Farmer Identification Numbers under Union-State schemes. Green manure seeds and multi-grain crop seeds will be supplied at subsidised rates, while farmers incorporating green manure into their fields will receive a ploughing subsidy of Rs 3,000 per acre.

The Budget also earmarks funds for liquid bio-fertilisers, water-soluble fertilisers and crop-specific boosters for paddy, cotton and sugarcane to improve nutrient efficiency and enhance yields.

To encourage eco-friendly cultivation, farmers practising organic farming will receive an incentive of Rs 4,000 per acre, while new vermicompost production units will be established across the State. The government will also waive registration and renewal fees for farmers undergoing certification under the National Programme for Organic Production and extend full support for pesticide residue testing to improve access to premium domestic and export markets.

The mission additionally includes measures to reclaim saline and alkaline soils, create awareness on soil conservation and pilot carbon-credit initiatives by encouraging climate-smart cultivation practices. During 2026-27 alone, the mission will be implemented through ten components at an outlay of Rs 122.51 crore, the Minister said.

With the expansion, the airline's network will grow to 64 destinations, comprising 48 domestic and 16 international stations, as per a release.

New Tamil Nadu flights

The airline will operate:

-- Two daily flights between Coimbatore and Mumbai

-- One daily flight between Chennai and Madurai

Bookings are open through the airline's website, mobile app and other booking channels.

Flight schedule from Tamil Nadu

-- Coimbatore – Mumbai

Departures: 9 am, 9.45 pm

Arrivals: 11.10 am, 12.05 am

Frequency: Two daily flights

-- Mumbai – Coimbatore

Departures: 6.20 am, 7.10 pm

Arrivals: 8.20 am, 9.05 pm

Frequency: Two daily flights

-- Madurai – Chennai

Departure: 2.05 pm

Arrival: 3.15 pm

Frequency: Daily

-- Chennai – Madurai

Departure: 11.50 am

Arrival: 1.05 pm

Frequency: Daily

Domestic network expansion

Apart from the Tamil Nadu additions, Air India Express will also launch services to Aurangabad, Jamnagar, Jodhpur and Tirupati. The airline said the expansion is aimed at strengthening connectivity between metro cities and key business, tourism and pilgrimage destinations across the country.

The airline also announced additional daily services on select Delhi routes, including Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Patna and Varanasi, from September 1.

Responding to reporters' queries on reports that Tamil Nadu was planning to raise the water level in the century-old dam, Satheesan said the issue remained under dispute.

"Official-level talks are already underway. We are seriously considering a meeting at the CM level as well," Satheesan said.

Built in 1895, the Mullaperiyar dam has long been a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu, which owns and operates the dam, and Kerala, where it is located.

While Tamil Nadu has consistently maintained that the dam is structurally safe and has sought to raise the water level, Kerala has repeatedly expressed concerns over the safety of the century-old structure and has been demanding the construction of a new dam near the existing one.

Presenting the TVK regime's first agriculture budget, Vinoth said the budget has been prepared following consultations with stakeholders and farm schemes in vogue will continue to be implemented in addition to new initiatives.

On the super El Niño event, the minister said that efforts have been stepped up to tackle it in the state by implementing Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's action plan.

The minister said that due to this phenomenon, severe impact is anticipated across the country, particularly during the Kuruvai season (June-July-early August).

"It has been predicted that 12 districts in Tamil Nadu will experience a severe impact. Hence, the District Agricultural Contingency Plan prepared by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University for all districts have been communicated to the district collectors, and all steps have been taken up to implement the contingency measures holistically," he said.

In order to enable farmers to access all schemes and technical advisory services of the Agriculture - Farmers Welfare Department under one roof, eight new buildings for Integrated Agricultural Extension Centres, each with a 300-metric tonne capacity godown, will be constructed in Tiruvannamalai, Katpadi and Gudiyatham (Vellore), Musiri (Tiruchirappalli), Narikudi (Virudhunagar), Bodinayakanur (Theni), Kayathar (Thoothukudi) and Thondamuthur (Coimbatore).

These centres will be established at a total outlay of Rs 27.82 crore from the union and state government funds, he said.

In response to the long-standing demand of the farming community, tarpaulins will be distributed to 43,500 farmers during 2026–27 to prevent post-harvest loss and facilitate drying and safe storage of agricultural produce from rain and shine. A sum of Rs 10 crore will be allocated from the State fund for this scheme.

In order to encourage small and marginal farmers, State-level crop yield competitions will be conducted during 2026–27 in the name of "Makkal Sevagar Anjalai Ammal".

The competition will be held for 10 crops, including millets, pulses and oilseeds and the top three farmers achieving the highest yields in each crop category will be awarded with a prize amount of Rs 2.50 lakh, Rs 1.50 lakh and Rs1 lakh respectively. The prize amount will be given to 30 farmers for which a sum of Rs 50 lakh will be allocated from the state fund.

As a part of the State's effort to popularise organic farming, the "Nammazhvar Award" will be awarded during 2026–27 to the best 5 organic farmers recognizing their excellence in organic farming practices.

A cash prize of Rs 2 lakh along with a certificate of appreciation will be given for which an amount of Rs 11 lakh will be allocated from the state fund.

The minister began his address by lauding the chief minister as a 'suit wearing farmer' and when he went on to shower more praise on Vijay, main opposition DMK raised objection.

Speaker JCD Prabhakar intervened and asked the opposition members to be calm and told the minister to stick to the agri-budget.

TNCCI president N Jegatheesan said the allocation of Rs 2,142 crore for the MSME sector was inadequate, considering that the sector is the backbone of the economy. He also expressed disappointment over the absence of any announcement on establishing new industrial estates in the State.

The Chamber further noted, barring the proposal to establish a Special Government Law College (School of Excellence in Law) in Madurai, the Budget contained no major development initiatives for southern TN. There were no announcements on the long-pending Madurai–Thoothukudi Industrial Corridor and the Chennai–Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor projects. While welcoming the proposed Metro Rail corridors in Chennai and the Bengaluru–Hosur Metro Rail project, the Chamber criticised the government for not making any announcement or financial allocation for the proposed Metro Rail projects in Madurai and Coimbatore.

“The proposal to introduce river tourism along the Cauvery, Vaigai, and Tamiraparani rivers, as well as the announcement of boat transport services on the Adyar and Cooum rivers in Chennai, appears to be impractical and raises serious concerns regarding its feasibility under the prevailing environmental and infrastructural conditions,” said Jegatheesan

Presenting the Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27 in the Assembly, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the technology-driven reforms were aimed at reducing physical interface between citizens and government officials, improving transparency and making service delivery faster and more efficient.

Under the new initiatives, the Commercial Taxes Department will introduce Faceless Assessment under the GST regime, enabling technology-based scrutiny of tax returns and minimising discretionary intervention while strengthening compliance.

The Registration Department, meanwhile, will implement Faceless Registration, allowing citizens to complete registration-related processes through a digital platform with minimal physical interaction.

The government will launch Anywhere Registration, enabling people to register documents at any designated Sub-Registrar’s Office in the State, irrespective of where the property is located.

“The Government is harnessing technology to build a transparent, efficient and citizen-friendly administration while improving revenue mobilisation,” Marie Wilson said.

The Commercial Taxes and Registration Departments have been allocated Rs 651 crore and Rs 475 crore, respectively.

Speaker of the House JCD Prabhakar will open the day's session with a recitation of Thirukkural, after which Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, R Vinoth, will present the agricultural budget estimates.

Against the backdrop of ongoing political discussions and debates over the Cauvery water dispute, the Mekedatu dam project, and farm loan waivers, this separate agriculture budget carries significant political and socioeconomic significance.

This follows the general state budget presented on Wednesday by State Finance Minister N Marie Wilson.

The debate on the main budget estimates and the agriculture budget estimates will begin from August 7.

Accordingly, the whole budget session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly will be held till September 8.

The initiative will leverage artificial intelligence for speed and traffic enforcement, dedicated road patrols, and advanced trauma care centres.

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the government remains committed to developing world-class, durable, safe, and sustainable roads.

He announced an allocation of Rs 9,300 crore under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme for widening State highways to four lanes, constructing bypasses, carrying out road safety works, building pedestrian overbridges, upgrading panchayat and panchayat union roads to district roads, building bridges, and improving riding quality.

Acknowledging that roads across Tamil Nadu have deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance, leading to potholes and uneven surfaces, the minister announced Rs 250 crore in the Revised Budget Estimates to repair damaged stretches under the Performance-Based Maintenance Contract model.

The government will also launch the Namma Salai mobile application, enabling citizens to photograph and report road defects for prompt rectification.

Overall, the Highways and Minor Ports Department has been allocated Rs 21,524 crore in the Revised Budget Estimates.

Rs 21,524 crore Outlay for Highways

Rs 9,300 crore Allocation for road infra

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson announced that the 'Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam' would be implemented at a cost of Rs 560 crore. Under the scheme, every newborn delivered in a government hospital will receive a one-gram gold ring.

The Budget also proposed the phased rollout of 1,000 Mobile Geriatric Treatment Centres to take healthcare services to the doorsteps of senior citizens, backed by an allocation of Rs 33 crore.

To strengthen maternal care, the government announced the establishment of 'Thai Care' maternity support centres in hospitals, besides upgrading patient guidance systems and hospital signage at an outlay of Rs 23 crore.

In a major digital healthcare initiative, the government will launch a Hub-and-Spoke telemedicine network, beginning with five hubs and 200 linked healthcare centres before expanding it to 1,000 facilities across Tamil Nadu. The project has been allocated Rs 18.5 crore.

The Budget also laid the foundation for expanding cancer treatment by proposing a Hub-and-Spoke cancer care model, setting aside Rs 10 crore to prepare Detailed Project Reports for five zonal cancer hospitals.

Announcing an additional Rs 100 crore for medicine procurement, Wilson said the government was committed to making quality healthcare accessible and equitable. "Our focus is to build a healthcare system that reaches every citizen, from newborns to senior citizens," he said.

Overall, the Health and Family Welfare Department has been allocated Rs 23,357 crore in the Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27.

Several schemes announced in the Budget are either continuations or revamped versions of existing programmes with modified nomenclature. The government's flagship housing programme, Vetri Veedu Thittam, which aims to convert huts into pucca houses, builds upon the State's long-standing rural housing initiatives.

The Budget also announced Super Clean Super Campus, a school cleanliness initiative that resembles the earlier "Engal Palli, Milirum Palli" programme introduced during the previous DMK regime.

Likewise, the proposed Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Schools of Excellence, aimed at improving hostel facilities in schools, is viewed as an extension of programmes implemented under the previous government.

Welfare schemes such as the distribution of laptops, bicycles, goats and sheep have also been implemented by successive DMK and AIADMK governments in different forms over the years.

The Annan Seer to Brides Scheme also bears resemblance to the Thalikku Thangam Scheme introduced during the AIADMK regime under former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, under which eligible women received an eight-gram gold coin for marriage assistance.

Similarly, the Budget renamed the long-running Self-Help Group programme, introduced by former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in 1989, as the Singappengal Valimaippaduthum Thittam.

Other initiatives, including skill training for unemployed youth, crop loan waivers, and urban and rural housing schemes, have also been presented under the "Vetri" branding, although their objectives remain largely unchanged.

Among the few new welfare announcements, Thai Maaman Thanga Modhiram Thittam, which had already been announced earlier and is scheduled to be launched in September, stood out as the government's only major new populist scheme.

Explaining the limited scope for announcing new welfare programmes, the Budget document stated, "The State's fiscal position is in the red. The government has inherited a treasury burdened with debt. The process of repair has begun, but it will take at least two years to restore fiscal prudence."

Presenting the 2026-27 Budget, Minister for Finance, Planning and Development N Marie Wilson said the new policy would focus on emerging industries, strengthen manufacturing capabilities and position Tamil Nadu as a preferred investment destination.

As part of the initiative, the government will launch the Tamil Nadu Industrial Capability Directory, a comprehensive digital platform showcasing the State's manufacturing strengths and supply chain capabilities to investors.

To improve the ease of doing business, the government also announced Guidance 3.0, under which an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled Single Window Portal will be introduced to expedite industrial approvals and clearances.

In a major initiative to attract investments from the Tamil diaspora, the government will establish a Non-Resident Tamil Investment Facilitation Desk to provide dedicated assistance and handholding support to Non-Resident Tamils interested in investing in the State.

The Budget also announced that Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district would be developed as a Space Industrial Investment Zone. In collaboration with IN-SPACe, the State will establish an Advanced Space Vehicle Common Technical Facility to provide infrastructure and technological support to private enterprises, startups and research organisations in the space sector.

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the pilot project would be implemented at Rs 18 crore to assess consumer demand and streamline distribution before any wider rollout.

Another welfare measure at Rs 7.18 crore, under the Food and Consumer Protection Department, to deliver essential commodities at the doorsteps of senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable sections, for Rs 7.18 crore.

Finance Minister Maria Wilson said the Rooftop Solar Subsidy Scheme would be implemented in convergence with the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The State has earmarked Rs 50 crore for the scheme, under which domestic consumers will receive up to Rs 1 lakh to install rooftop solar panels.

TNPDCL sources said households currently receive Rs 78,000 for a 3 kW rooftop solar system under the central scheme. The State will provide an additional Rs 22,000, taking the total subsidy to Rs 1 lakh. Tamil Nadu has so far installed 85,159 rooftop solar systems benefiting 1,00,397 households.

The Budget also proposed installing smart meters for all consumers in Chennai and 50 lakh industrial and commercial consumers across the rest of the State. The Chennai distribution region, including parts of Tiruvallur district, serves about 38.8 lakh consumers.

The move marks a shift from the previous government's plan to install 3.04 crore smart meters across Tamil Nadu in two phases. TNPDCL officials said implementing smart meters across an entire distribution region would enable monthly billing through remote meter readings, eliminating manual meter reading.

To accelerate electric mobility, the government announced that 20,000 public EV charging stations will be set up over the next five years through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode, with Rs 50 crore allocated this financial year. A separate Rs 5 crore subsidy scheme was announced to help Resident Welfare Associations install EV charging facilities in residential complexes.

The Budget also announced the construction of 178 new substations at a cost of Rs 1,543 crore and the phased replacement of 40,000 ageing transformers with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore.

With power demand expected to cross 37,000 MW by 2035-36, the government will introduce a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Promotion Policy to attract private investment and position Tamil Nadu as India's BESS hub.

EV PUSH

~ 20,000 public EV charging stations to be set up in 5 years under PPP mode; Rs 5 crore subsidy announced for RWAs

~ All 38.8 lakh power consumers in Chennai and 50 lakh industrial and commercial users statewide to get smart meters

Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the Corporation would focus on developing the palmyra sector and supporting farmers cultivating the palmyra tree, the State tree of Tamil Nadu.

The Rs 16-crore allocation will be utilised for initiatives such as neera processing, palm jaggery production, and the promotion and export of value-added palm products. The Corporation will also undertake measures to enhance the livelihood of farmers engaged in palmyra cultivation.

The government will establish the Tirupur Textiles Technology Centre (TTTC) with an allocation of Rs 10 crore to provide advanced technological support, research, product development and skill upgradation for the knitwear and garment industry. The initiative is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Tirupur, India's leading knitwear export cluster.

The Budget also proposed preparing a Detailed Project Report for the Tamil Nadu Institute of Design, envisaged as a specialised institution to foster design innovation and improve product development across the handloom, handicrafts and textile sectors.

As part of the heritage conservation programme, the government will restore 250 temple tanks, recognising their ecological, religious and historical significance, besides renovating 75 temple cars used during annual festivals.

The government will take up the restoration of 213 temples that are more than 1,000 years old at an estimated cost of Rs 418 crore, with priority being given to preserving ancient structures of archaeological and architectural importance.

The Minister also informed that trustees had been appointed to 9,205 temples, with allocation of Rs 708 crore for the HR&CE Department.

The TVK-led government’s maiden budget that was presented on Wednesday (August 5) was an exercise in restraint where repair and fiscal consolidation priority over even poll promises.

Less than two months after it released a White Paper on State’s financial situation, a move to score political points over its rivals, the government would continue on the same path of huge borrowings and sizeable deficit, both of which it justified as part of running a State that is on the rise.

There were indeed new measures, ranging from the populist one-sovereign gold and silk saree for brides (Annan Seer Scheme) to future-focused ones like ‘Arivagam’, touted as India’s first dedicated AI and Innovation city. There were also ones like 200 integrated student hostels with one lakh beds, phased rollout of smart electricity meters, and renewable energy push.

Then there was the renaming drive, from free laptops for college students, skill training scheme, goat rearing scheme for women, housing scheme, etc. that were given the TVK’s favourite prefix, ‘Vetri’.

And then there were complaints of some of the key promises, like enhancing the monthly dole for women to Rs 2,500, not figuring in the budget.

Beyond these were the crucial numbers. Like Rs 1.22 lakh crore, the amount that Tamil Nadu will borrow this financial year, a record high. The deficit has come down marginally from the Budget Estimate that the then DMK government presented just before the Assembly elections.

Briefing reporters after Finance Minister N Marie Wilson presented the Revised Budget, Finance Secretary MA Siddique got to the crux of the matter: “Debt will continue to rise every year. It cannot be reduced even over the next 50 years.”

The State would raise Rs 1.22 lakh crore during 2026-27, and had already borrowed about Rs 21,000 crore in the April-June quarter, he said. But qualifying these astronomical figures, he added, “The important consideration is that borrowings remain within the limits prescribed by the government of India and are backed by the State's repayment capacity.”

Defending the government's borrowing strategy, Siddique said, "Borrowing is not wrong if it creates productive assets and supports development. The only sustainable way to reduce the debt burden is by increasing the State's revenues."

Siddique said the government had adopted a balanced approach that sought to revive the State's finances without disrupting existing welfare programmes. "The State's financial position was under severe stress three months ago. We have taken measures to increase revenue and improve expenditure efficiency. The fiscal situation cannot be corrected in a single year; it will require at least two years," he said.

He, however, reaffirmed the ruling TVK government's commitment to its election promises, including the flagship monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 for women heads of families.

"All the major promises under the 'Vetri Tamizhagam' programme will be implemented. Fiscal consolidation must come first. The Rs 2,500 assistance scheme will be rolled out within a year, while the remaining flagship schemes will be introduced in phases over the coming years," he said.

On the long-pending demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, Siddique said the government had neither accepted nor rejected the proposal. "No decision has been taken. The status quo continues," he said.

The Finance Secretary disclosed that around Rs 7,000 crore in dues from the Union government was yet to be released to Tamil Nadu. He also asserted that no existing welfare scheme had been discontinued despite the difficult fiscal situation.

Responding to criticism over the use of public-private partnerships, Siddique said infrastructure creation through private participation should not be mistaken for privatisation of public services.

"Providing healthcare is the government's responsibility, but constructing hospitals need not necessarily be. PPP enables quality infrastructure to be created at lower cost while public service delivery remains with the government," he said.

He also dismissed concerns over school education spending, noting that the revised allocation of Rs 44,527 crore remained higher than the previous year's actual expenditure despite rationalisation from the Interim Budget, while maintaining that the government's commitment to education and welfare remained intact.

A new Road Safety Policy will be introduced, focusing on road engineering, traffic enforcement, emergency trauma care, and public awareness. To support road safety initiatives, the government has set aside Rs 200 crore under the Chief Minister's Accident Relief Fund Scheme and Rs 130 crore under the Road Safety Fund for 2026-27.

For police welfare, Rs 431 crore has been earmarked to construct residential quarters for 5,000 police families across the state. Additionally, Rs 354 crore has been allocated in the first phase for the Singappen Special Force.

To curb drug trafficking, the government announced that anti-narcotics task force units will function under the name Special Task Force for Interdiction of Narcotics and Gangs (STING). A total of 65 STING units will be established — 37 across rural districts and 28 in urban areas. These units will investigate trafficking, conduct financial probes, and initiate legal proceedings, including freezing assets linked to drug offences.

Complementing the enforcement drive, the government also announced a Rs 70 crore rehabilitation fund to support deaddiction and rehabilitation programmes for victims of substance abuse.

The flagship initiative, unveiled in the Revised Budget Estimates for 2026-27, will be spearheaded by the Tamil Virtual Academy to strengthen Tamil computing, develop AI-powered language tools, improve translation capabilities and expand the use of Tamil across emerging digital platforms.

Presenting the Budget in the Assembly, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the initiative reflected the government's vision of ensuring that Tamil remained not merely a language of history and literature, but also one equipped to thrive in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

"Our Government is committed to preserving the richness of Tamil while ensuring that it becomes a language of the future through innovation and technology," Wilson said.

The Budget also unveiled a series of measures to promote Tamil among younger generations. A cash incentive of Rs 5,000 will be awarded to 500 students who successfully memorise 300 Thirukkural couplets, while an annual Quaid-e-Millat Award will be instituted to honour outstanding contributions to the development of Tamil.

To deepen awareness of Tamil's civilization legacy, the government will organise educational tours for students to the archaeological sites of Keezhadi, Adichanallur and Kodumanal. The Budget also proposes enhanced financial assistance for Tamil scholars and statewide essay and oratorical competitions to encourage literary excellence.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchy after the executive committee meeting, Veerasekaran said that the SRMU had sent a charter of 40 demands to the Union Railway Ministry but no demand has so far been fulfilled by the railway administration.

“Vande Bharat workshop is being established at Ponmalai and the workers from Tamil Nadu should be deputed,” he added. “Since SR has more employees from other states, there are several confusions over communication. We demand the transfer of other state employees to their respective states and fill the 2 lakh vacancies with the people from the southern region.”

He also appealed that those who clear the RRB exams from particular states should be appointed in their home states which would “ensure a good work environment to the employees”.

Another Inspector T Saravanan, who was part of the team, has been transferred to vacancy reserve by the top brass of the city police after complaints against him.

On Monday, police arrested Inspector Muhammed Buhari, attached to the St Thomas Mount Police Station, after a businessman filed a complaint alleging that he has been repeatedly demanding money from him over the past two years citing a mobile number linked to the businessman which has come up during investigations into TN BSP leader Armstrong’s murder.

Inspector Buhari was involved in the police shooting in which one of the suspects in Armstrong murder case, Thiruvenkadam, was shot dead in July 2024. Buhari was also involved in a subsequent police shooting, in which a suspect allegedly involved in a series of chain snatchings in Chennai was shot dead in March 2025.

According to PR Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Association, the water resources department in Tamil Nadu was in a state of neglect for several years and no government previously allocated proper funds to implement projects under the department.

“But the present State budget, presented by the Finance Minister N Marie Wilson, had allocated a fund of Rs 9,264 crore to the department which would augment the irrigation infrastructure in the State," Pandian said.

He also lauded the allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for dairy development, Rs 110 crore for goat rearing, Rs 150 crore for the Cauvery-Gundar linking project, Rs 1,762 crore for developing mangrove forests across the State and Rs 25 crore for tackling the El Nino.

Similarly, Swamimalai Sundara Vimalnathan, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, lauded the initial fund allocation of Rs 10 crore for the check dam at Kollidam and Cauvery.

However, A Thajudeen, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, said that the fishermen were upset that the budget did not announce the increase of subsidised diesel from 1,900 litres per month to 3,500 litres as per the poll promise. He also expressed dissatisfaction that the promise of a fishermen dole of Rs 20,000 from Rs 8,000 was not included in the budget.

Meanwhile, the Karur Textile Manufacturers Exporters' Association (KTMEA) welcomed the 2026 Budget and appreciated the Government's continued commitment towards industrial growth, infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and strengthening the textile sector.

According to P Gopalakrishnan, president of KTMEA, the budget allocation of Rs 1,678 crore for Handlooms and Textiles, Rs 2,022 crore for Labour Welfare and Skill Development, and Rs 4,414 crore for the Industries Department, along with announcements relating to the Tirupur Textile Technology Centre, Technical Textiles Transformation Scheme, Loom Modernisation Scheme, SIPCOT industrial parks, logistics infrastructure, Green Energy Corridor, power infrastructure, AI initiatives, and TN Single Window 3.0, will enhance the long-term competitiveness of state's textile industry and attract fresh investments.

He said that Karur, being one of India's largest home textile export clusters, is expecting a few dedicated initiatives to further strengthen its global competitiveness.

KTMEA is confident that, with continued partnership between the Government and industry, Tamil Nadu will further consolidate its position as India's leading textile manufacturing and export destination and significantly contribute towards the State's vision of becoming a $1.5 trillion economy by 2035–36, added Gopalakrishnan.

Presenting the 2026-27 State Budget, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the 118.9 km Chennai Metro Phase II project, being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 63,246 crore, is progressing rapidly. The initial 14.64 km stretch, comprising 11 stations from Poonamallee Bypass to Porur Junction with connectivity to the existing Vadapalani station, is scheduled to be commissioned shortly.

The government is pursuing early approval from the Union government for three proposed metro corridors: Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam, Koyambedu to Pattabiram via Avadi, and Poonamallee to Sunguvarchathiram via Sriperumbudur. It is also pushing a joint proposal with the Centre and the Karnataka government to extend a metro link from Hosur in Krishnagiri district to Bommasandra in Karnataka.

To modernise public transport, 1,000 AC electric buses will be inducted into the MTC fleet during the current financial year under the GCC model. A sum of Rs 500 crore has been earmarked in the Revised Budget Estimates for electrical and mechanical infrastructure at bus depots to support these vehicles. Overall, the Budget has allocated Rs 13,561 crore to the Transport Department, which includes Rs 7,675 crore as subsidy to State Transport Undertakings, Rs 2,650 crore as performance gap funding, and Rs 1,005 crore as share capital assistance.

TAKING WHEELS

14.64 km

-- Poonamallee Bypass to Porur Junction stretch, comprising 11 stations, will be commissioned shortly

1,000

-- AC electric buses to be inducted under the GCC model; Rs 500 crore allocated for depot infra upgrades

4 CORRIDORS

TN pursuing approvals for Airport-Kilambakkam, Koyambedu-Pattabiram, Poonamallee-Sunguvarchathiram, and Hosur-Bommasandra lines

Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly after the Budget was presented, Udhayanidhi said the government had simply affixed new labels to existing welfare schemes.

"The government has merely pasted a sticker on schemes that were already being implemented during the DMK regime," he alleged.

Referring to the Thai Maaman Thanga Modhiram Scheme, Udhayanidhi claimed that during the election campaign, TVK president and now Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had promised to provide a gold ring to all newborns, whereas the Budget restricted the benefit to children born in government hospitals.

"The Budget contains none of the major promises made during the election campaign. Only the names of the schemes have been changed, while the schemes themselves were implemented during the DMK regime," he said.

Former Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu also criticised the Budget, saying the government's own figures contradicted the claims made in its White Paper on the State's finances.

Speaking at Anna Arivalayam, Thennarasu said that during the DMK regime, the projected revenue expenditure for 2026-27 was Rs 3.93 lakh crore, whereas the present Budget had increased it to Rs 4.05 lakh crore.

He further claimed that while the net borrowing projected during the DMK regime was Rs 1 lakh crore, the present Budget had increased it to Rs 1.22 lakh crore.

"The Budget itself proves that the allegations made against the previous DMK government in the White Paper on the State's fiscal position were false," Thennarasu alleged.