Stalin govt presents budget with focus on ' grand Tamil dream'

The Tamil Nadu government presented its budget for the year 2024-25, premising the exercise on the "7 grand Tamil dream," that included social justice and women's welfare at the core. Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the budget and made a slew of announcements. This included the "Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam," a housing scheme named after the late DMK patriarch and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. As per the scheme, 800,000 concrete houses will be constructed in rural areas across the state to make it 'hut-free' by 2030, he said. Social justice, welfare of the marginalised, making Tamil youth global achievers were among the 7 goals, Thennarasu said in his budget speech. Among others, he announced allocating £30 million in budget for civic amenities including roads for areas nearby city corporations. Thennarasu said the state has made very significant progress in poverty reduction through its welfare schemes.