Chennai: Gold rings for newborns, silk sarees for brides and branded bicycles for lakhs of students emerged as the biggest highlights of the Tamil Nadu
government's maiden budget under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, as the TVK government on Wednesday unveiled an expansive welfare roadmap under its 'Vetri Tamizhagam' vision. The government announced the launch of the 'Annan Seer' scheme, allocating Rs 812 crore to provide 8 grams (one-sovereign) gold coin and a silk saree to women during their marriage, fulfilling one of Vijay's key election promises. Another flagship initiative, the 'Thaai Maman Thanga Mothiram Thittam', received Rs 560 crore, under which every child born in a government hospital will receive a one-gram gold ring from September.
Big Bets On Students, Skills And AI
Focusing heavily on youth, the government earmarked Rs 277 crore to provide free branded bicycles and helmets to 5.32 lakh Class 11 students studying in government schools during the 2026–27 academic year. A Rs 2,000-crore 'Vettri Laptop' scheme for college students was also announced, while the state pledged to provide AI training to five lakh youth before 2031 and launch skill development programmes for 12 lakh college students and one lakh unemployed youth.The budget also allocated Rs 50 crore to establish 10 Olympic-focused sports training centres, Rs 57 crore to provide free cattle to 10,000 women, funds to expand the government's breakfast scheme up to Class 8, and announced 500 new anganwadi centres along with 12 old-age homes across the state. Finance Minister Marie Wilson said the budget reflected TVK's commitment to transparent governance and social justice while laying out a phased development plan for the government's first, third and fifth years in office.
The budget is being seen as the first major test of CM Vijay's governance credentials since the party swept to power earlier this year. The Vetri Tamizhagam vision, which formed the backbone of TVK's campaign, had promised a wide range of welfare and development measures.
