TVK govt targets Rs 16,000 cr revenue boost ,major school upgrade in maiden budget

Chennai, Aug 5

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious revenue mobilisation and school modernisation drive in its maiden Tamil Nadu Budget, while setting a long-term goal of transforming the State into a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036.

Presenting the Revised Budget for 2026-27 in the State Assembly, Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson said the government plans to mobilise an additional Rs 16,000 crore as it seeks to strengthen State finances while funding development and welfare programmes.

Of the additional revenue, Rs 15,000 crore is expected to be generated through various revenue-enhancement measures, while another Rs 1,000 crore will come from a cess on liquor production.

Wilson also announced the constitution of a Revenue Enhancement Committee to explore new sources of income and recommend measures to improve the State’s fiscal position.

Education emerged as a major focus of the TVK government’s first Budget. The government will undertake a Rs 2,132-crore programme to modernise 3,734 government schools across Tamil Nadu by upgrading infrastructure and improving facilities.

An allocation of Rs 300 crore has been made for the programme in the current financial year. Another Rs 25 crore has been earmarked for restructuring and modernising the State school curriculum.

The government also allocated Rs 129 crore for its “Super Clean, Super Campus” initiative, which will initially cover 10,000 government schools and focus on improving cleanliness, sanitation and campus maintenance.

On the welfare front, Wilson announced that the Thaimaman Seer Thittam, one of the TVK government’s flagship programmes, will be launched on September 15, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai.

The Budget also placed economic expansion at the centre of the government’s longer-term strategy, reiterating its target of making Tamil Nadu a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036 through investment, infrastructure development, industrial growth and employment generation.

Wilson opened his maiden Budget speech by invoking the Thirukkural and its message of equality, saying distinction among people arises from their deeds rather than birth.