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.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said the government would implement a Quality Assurance and Export Promotion scheme during 2026-27 at an outlay of Rs 8.43 crore.

The initiative will be rolled out across 23 crop clusters covering 3,000 acres, benefiting farmers cultivating mango, guava, tomato, moringa and small onion.

Under the programme, farmers will receive capacity-building training, technical guidance and the necessary infrastructure to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and produce pesticide residue-free fruits and vegetables that comply with international quality standards.

Vinoth said consignments are often rejected by importing countries due to pesticide residues, resulting in financial losses for both farmers and exporters. The new initiative seeks to address the issue by strengthening quality assurance at the farm level and promoting scientific production methods.

The government will also facilitate market linkages between growers and exporters to improve access to premium domestic and overseas markets, enabling farmers to realise better prices for export-quality produce.

The Minister said improving quality standards was essential to enhancing the competitiveness of Tamil Nadu's horticulture sector in global markets. Besides reducing export rejections, the initiative is expected to boost farmers' incomes by creating a reliable supply chain for residue-free produce and strengthening the State's presence in high-value international markets.

As Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay entered the Assembly hall, he walked towards the centre of the House from his seat and greeted leaders of the Opposition with a traditional "Vanakkam."

Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister R Vinoth began by praising the Chief Minister, remarks that were not part of the written Budget speech. DMK members objected, following which Speaker JCD Prabhakar directed the Minister to confine himself to the text of the Budget document, even though he added that only portions that could be considered objectionable would be expunged from Assembly records.

The House also witnessed a change in political symbolism. During the previous DMK regime, ruling party MLAs, including then Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam, wore green shawls during the presentation of the Agriculture Budget to signify their commitment to farmers. On Thursday, however, DMK members wore black shirts in protest against the State government's handling of the Mekedatu dam issue.

At the conclusion of his Budget speech, minister Vinoth again praised the Chief Minister, prompting fresh objections from the DMK. The Speaker once again instructed the Minister to adhere to the written text and assured Opposition members that any remarks made outside the approved Budget speech would be expunged from the Assembly records.

After the presentation of the Agriculture Budget, Chief Minister Vijay congratulated Finance Minister N Marie Wilson and Agriculture Minister R Vinoth for presenting the Revised Budget and the Agriculture Budget over the past two days.

But the parties said the Budget fell short on key demands such as farm loan waivers, higher MSP, relief for distressed farmers and measures to tackle the impact of El Niño.

CPM state secretary P Shanmugam welcomed announcements such as establishing a natural farming college in the name of Nammalvar, promoting millet production and procurement, launching a palm conservation mission, introducing a banana support scheme, and upgrading Uzhavar Sandhais.

However, he cautioned that the budget's emphasis on farm mechanisation could adversely affect agricultural labourers, who were already struggling with a lack of employment. He also expressed concern over the lack of any announcement regarding the provision of long-pending free electricity connections to farmers awaiting service connections.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandian welcomed the allocation of Rs 14,984 crore for the Agriculture Department, including Rs 7,432 crore towards free power subsidy, and appreciated new initiatives such as the Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission, Cotton Revival Mission and the AI-based Uzhavar app, besides agricultural engineering training centres.

He, however, criticised the absence of measures to mitigate the anticipated impact of El Niño, improve rainwater harvesting and construct check dams. Veerapandian also said the budget had ignored relief for farmers and agricultural labourers affected by the failed kuruvai season, made no announcement on increasing the paddy procurement price to Rs 3,500 per quintal, and did not address the promised crop loan waiver, leaving farmers disappointed.

Former ministers SP Velumani, CVe Shanmugam and KP Anbazhagan met the minister for more than an hour. The meeting assumed significance as the trio did not meet AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami during the Assembly session on Wednesday or Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Velumani said the discussions focused on the Athikadavu-Avinashi project and development works concerning their respective constituencies. Asked why the group had not met Palaniswami, CVe Shanmugam dismissed the suggestion, saying, "Why should we meet him? There is nothing between us. There is no need to meet him."

The divide widened further after Velumani recently called for the reinduction of VK Sasikala and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran into the AIADMK, a demand widely seen as a challenge to Palaniswami's leadership.

The meeting is also significant, as six former AIADMK MLAs had earlier resigned from the party and joined the TVK, leaving six Assembly constituencies vacant. By-elections to these seats are expected to be announced soon.

Presenting the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly, Agriculture-Farmers' Welfare Minister Vinoth said 43,500 farmers would benefit from the initiative during 2026-27.

The tarpaulins will help cultivators safely dry and store harvested crops, preventing quality deterioration and losses caused by unexpected rainfall and adverse weather conditions. The Minister said the intervention would strengthen post-harvest management and improve the marketability of agricultural produce by preserving its quality.

The announcement comes amid growing concerns over crop losses occurring after harvest, particularly during the drying stage when sudden rain often damages produce and affects farmers' returns. By providing protective covers, the government aims to minimise wastage and enable farmers to realise better prices for their harvest.

In another move to encourage excellence in farming, the government announced a series of new awards recognising outstanding performers in agriculture. The 'Makkal Sevagar Anjalai Ammal Award' will honour top-performing small and marginal farmers in State-level crop yield competitions, while the 'Vetri Vivasayi Award' will recognise high-yielding farmers at the district level. The 'Nammazhvar Award' will be presented to five outstanding organic farmers for promoting sustainable farming practices.

Nainar Nagenthran said he respected all religions. "There is nothing wrong with people practicing their faith according to their beliefs. But when religious identities are projected in public life, it creates the impression that a government is aligned with a particular religion," he said.

Referring to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's earlier remarks that the government was being described as one representing minorities, Nainar said such statements had raised doubts over whether the administration was functioning with religious neutrality.

While welcoming the Budget allocation of Rs 35,000 to facilitate pilgrimages, he questioned why the government had not fulfilled its poll promises to provide financial assistance for devotees visiting the six abodes of Lord Murugan and the 108 Divya Desams. "Allocating funds for one pilgrimage while ignoring the others reflects a one-sided approach," he said.

Nainar also criticised the reduction in the School Education Department's allocation from Rs 46,000 crore last year to Rs 44,000 crore this year and said the Budget offered little for students, youth and sports. He further alleged that the allocation for the free electricity scheme for farmers had been cut by Rs 500 crore, questioning whether the government remained committed to farmers' welfare.

The Tamil Nadu government has planned to induct 750 low-floor air-conditioned electric buses in the second phase, following the operation of 625 such buses under the Chennai City Partnership Sustainable Urban Services Programme (CCP-SUSP), implemented with financial support from the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

During the visit, the minister reviewed the progress of bus production and inspected various stages of the manufacturing and design process. He also sought details from company officials on the status of production and stressed the need to complete the work on schedule.

According to the government, the decision to induct more low-floor air-conditioned electric buses is in line with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's direction to strengthen public transport with modern, environmentally friendly buses.

Transport Secretary L Nirmal Raj, MTC Managing Director T Mohan, OHM Chief Operating Officer E Nagarajan, Switch Mobility Chief Operating Officer H Shanmugavel, and other senior officials were present during the inspection.

According to the prosecution, on May 22, 2013, Shaji Purushothaman, who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and without a valid driving licence, rammed his car onto the pavement near Egmore Children's Hospital in the city, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring four others. Based on the complaint, the Anna Square Traffic Investigation Police registered a case.

Shaji Purushothaman and his friends, Kumar, Syed Anwar, and Anil Rao, were arrested and later released on bail. During the trial, Syed Anwar was discharged, and the proceedings against Anil Rao were quashed. The case against Shaji Purushothaman and Kumar was tried by the VII Additional Sessions Court, Chennai, which, on June 29, after nearly 13 years of trial, convicted both.

As Shaji failed to appear before the trial court on the date of conviction, a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. He subsequently approached the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court, citing health reasons. Pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court, he surrendered before Judge RKP Tamilarasi of the IV Additional City Civil and Sessions Court, Chennai.

On July 30, the trial court sentenced Shaji to five years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He was also sentenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 500 under another charge, with both sentences directed to run concurrently. Following the sentencing, he was taken into custody and lodged in Puzhal Central Prison.

Challenging the judgment of conviction and the sentence imposed by the trial court, Shaji Purushothaman has filed the present criminal appeal before the Madras High Court.

In his letter, the Chief Minister pointed out that Tamil Nadu depends on neighbouring states for more than 30% of its water requirements, making the State highly vulnerable to inter-State water availability. He stressed the need for a sustainable solution to augment the State's surface water resources to meet the growing demand for drinking water and irrigation.

Calling the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river link the most significant long-term opportunity to enhance Tamil Nadu's water resources, Vijay said the project would provide substantial relief to the drought-prone southern districts of Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar, which have long faced chronic water scarcity.

Referring to the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Godavari-Pennar-Palar-Vellar link, the Chief Minister noted that the proposed alignment currently terminates a few kilometres upstream of the Cauvery River. He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the DPR is extended up to the Kattalai Barrage across the Cauvery, enabling the river-linking project to continue up to the Gundar basin.

Vijay requested the Prime Minister to direct the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Water Development Agency to hold consultations with all stakeholder States and build an early consensus on the pending issues. He also sought priority approval for the project and its implementation on a fast-track basis as a National Project.

The Chief Minister further urged the Union government to establish a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the coordinated and time-bound execution of the project and formally declare the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river link as a project of national importance. He said the project would significantly strengthen Tamil Nadu's water security, improve irrigation potential and ensure a reliable supply of drinking water for future generations.

In a statement, TNUEF State president T Chellakannu and general secretary P Sugandhi also called for special sessions of the Assembly to review the implementation of welfare schemes for SCs and STs in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

The organisation said that although the Budget announced welfare measures for SCs and STs, it should have clearly explained fund allocations, implementation of schemes, and enforcement of Special Component Plan guidelines.

It also pointed out that the allocation for the Social Justice department stood at Rs 3,937 crore in 2026-27, compared to Rs 4,281 crore in 2022-23. As the allocation had already exceeded Rs 4,000 crore in 2021-22, it said the present allocation should have been higher.

While welcoming the increase in beneficiaries under the Dr Ambedkar Overseas Education Scheme to 362 and the allocation of Rs 300 crore for the Ayothidasar Housing Improvement Scheme, the Front said the allocations of Rs 20 crore for the Mannin Magal land distribution scheme and Rs 165 crore for the SC Entrepreneurs Scheme were inadequate.

The Budget has allocated Rs 25,225 crore under the Scheduled Caste Special Component Plan and Rs 2,079 crore under the Tribal Sub-Plan. However, it does not provide details of the scheme-wise allocations or the methodology to determine the allocations, the organisation said.

Referring to the 2025-26 Adi Dravidar Welfare policy note, which stated that Rs 20,365 crore, or 21.97 per cent of the plan outlay, had been allocated, the Front said the latest allocation represented an increase in absolute terms. However, it stressed that the key issue was whether the funds were directly targeted at SCs and STs. Without ensuring this, a substantial portion of the allocation could continue to be diverted to general government schemes instead of benefiting the intended communities, it said.

The organisation also urged the government to ensure the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Development Action Plan and Rules, enacted in 2024.

The organisation also urged the government to ensure that unspent funds earmarked for SC and ST welfare were carried forward to subsequent years instead of lapsing.

According to the police, the complaint was lodged by Thangadurai, organiser of the BJP's Madurai West district unit seeking immediate legal action against the individual appearing in the video who has deliberately circulated highly inflammatory, misleading and allegedly false statements through social media with the apparent intention of creating hatred against the Government of India, misleading members of the public and disturbing public tranquility.

Further, the individual appears to have made statements regarding the protest at Jantar Mantar, alleging that the Delhi Police attacked the protestors with an intention to kill them.

The complaint also shared the Piyush Manush instagram link to the police. Based on the complaint, the Madurai District Cyber Crime Police registered a case against Piyush Manush under three sections on 4^th August and conducted the investigation.

Several self-financing institutions have secured approval for extra seats in high-demand streams such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, and Electronics and Communication Engineering.

While the increased seat matrix helps colleges boost admissions during counselling, educationists point out that adding seats mandates expanding classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels, and teaching staff to maintain required student-teacher ratios.

"An increase in intake must be matched by a corresponding upgrade in infrastructure and faculty. Otherwise, the quality of education suffers," said educationist R Ashwin.

Educationist D Nedunchezian alleged that Anna University, the affiliating body for private engineering colleges in the State, has failed to strictly enforce compliance. "If Anna University does not conduct proper inspections, it effectively encourages private colleges to bend rules," he said.

Insiders reveal that many institutions continue operating with existing facilities despite higher seat counts, resulting in overcrowded classrooms, ill-equipped labs, and overworked teachers. They warned that such deficiencies could compromise the quality of teaching, practical training and overall academic standards.

Experts also argued that approving higher intake is only one part of the regulatory process, while ensuring compliance with prescribed norms is equally important. Without effective monitoring, merely increasing student intake will not improve the quality of engineering education, they said.

Calling for stronger oversight, educationists urged AICTE to conduct regular physical inspections and periodic audits instead of relying primarily on self-declarations and documents submitted by institutions.

They also expressed concern that some colleges seek higher sanctioned intake mainly to improve their visibility during the admission process. Even if many of the additional seats remain vacant, a larger approved intake can make institutions appear more attractive to students during counselling.

They suggested that AICTE adopt stricter criteria before approving future intake increases by assessing existing infrastructure, faculty strength, student pass percentage and utilisation of previously sanctioned seats. They also recommended mandatory post-approval inspections and strict action, including withdrawal of excess sanctioned seats, against institutions that fail to comply with prescribed norms.

With engineering education undergoing rapid transformation driven by emerging technologies and evolving industry requirements, educationists stressed that quality should remain the primary focus. They said any increase in student intake must be supported by adequate infrastructure and qualified faculty to ensure students receive education that meets AICTE standards.

The accused, identified as Jayaprakash (29) of Vikramangalam, was driving a milk vehicle from Nagari when he allegedly drove recklessly and at high speed near Alanganallur.

Police said the lorry first hit Solairaj, who was standing beside his two-wheeler on the roadside. Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly sped away.

When the public attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly continued driving and rammed into more than 10 motorists coming from the opposite direction, causing multiple accidents.

Enraged by the incident, people chased the lorry for about 4 km along the Madurai-Natham Road, intercepted it and assaulted the driver before handing him over to the police.

Solairaj, who sustained grievous injuries in the accident, succumbed while undergoing treatment at a hospital. Police have taken Jayaprakash into custody and registered a case against him. The incident caused panic in the locality.

The victim, S Ashwin (22), was attacked by the teenager and his friend, S Madesh (21), a driver from Sakthi Nagar in Sikkalampalayam, in the early hours of Thursday.

According to the police, Ashwin had gone to the residence of his friend Vignesh’s grandmother in Sakthi Nagar after work on Wednesday and stayed there overnight. The two suspects allegedly entered the house in the early hours when Ashwin was asleep alone in a room and attacked him.

Police said Ashwin had earlier questioned the 16-year-old about his decision to discontinue his studies and advised him to focus on his education. After the murder, the accused allegedly recorded a video at the scene and circulated it among their friends. Police said Ashwin was rushed to the Coimbatore Government Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), where doctors declared him dead. His body was later sent for post-mortem examination.

Coimbatore District Superintendent of Police A Pavan Kumar Reddy visited the crime scene and supervised the investigation. Three special teams have been formed to trace and arrest the absconding suspects. Police officials said the exact motive behind the crime and the sequence of events leading to the murder would be established only after the accused are apprehended and questioned.

The decision was taken during a consultative meeting at the Higher Education Department chaired by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay last month. The meeting reviewed the sector and approved a series of reforms aimed at improving the quality of higher education.

Among the key decisions were the introduction of a new State Education Policy, implementation of four-year undergraduate degree programmes, filling of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts, upgrading college infrastructure, promoting research, and enhancing transparency in higher education.

The government also decided to revise the composition of search committees for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, increase the reservation for government school students from 7.5% to 10%, and appoint qualified academicians as the government's nominees to university Syndicate committees.

The meeting noted that Tamil Nadu currently has 419 engineering colleges. While Anna University and a few leading self-financing institutions continue to attract students, more than 100 engineering colleges are unable to fill their sanctioned intake. In several colleges, admissions are in single digits, while some reportedly receive no admissions at all.

Officials observed that the large number of under-enrolled institutions has affected the quality of engineering education and student outcomes. Although a few engineering colleges shut down every year, Anna University has continued to approve one to three new colleges annually.

In view of the existing number of engineering colleges and declining admissions, the government has decided that there is no immediate need to permit the establishment of new engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu.

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.