TN Budget 2023: Rs 1,000 dole from Anna's birth Anniv

CHENNAI: The much-awaited Magalir Urimai Thogai, a scheme providing Rs 1,000 monthly assistance for eligible women heads of families — one of the key poll-time assurances made by the DMK in 2021, will be rolled out on September 15 this year.

While CM’s Breakfast Scheme, rolled out on a pilot basis in 1,543 elementary schools, will now be extended to all 30,122 government primary schools, special focus will be on Chennai city’s infrastructure and quality of life, particularly in north Chennai.

Presenting a deficit budget for 2023-2024, State’s Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said the operational guidelines outlining the eligibility to avail of the benefits under the Magalir Urimai scheme will be evolved and released soon.

Accordingly, a total of Rs 7,000 crore has been allotted in the budget for this scheme which will be a ‘game-changer’ in the socio-economic life of women of the State, he added.

“Notwithstanding the several massive welfare schemes that are being implemented during the last two years, owing to the unprecedented and difficult reforms undertaken, we have reduced the annual revenue deficit of around Rs 62,000 crore which we inherited on assuming office, to around Rs 30,000 crore in the revised estimates of the current year,” he claimed.

Announcing new schemes and measures across all the government departments, the minister said the state’s tax revenue, which was at a healthy 8% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) during 2006-11 has witnessed a precipitous fall in the last ten years and reached 5.58% in 2020-2021, which is much lower compared to other large states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.

In a bid to ensure balanced and equitable development of the city, he said the government will implement the Vada Chennai (north Chennai) Valarchi Thittam at Rs 1,000 crore over the next three years.

Stating that a new textile policy will be released, he said the acquisition of 1,052-acre land for setting up the mega textile park at Rs 1,800 crore in Virudhunagar district has been completed.

On the information technology initiatives, he said free Wi-fi zones will be set up in popular public places in the cities of Chennai, Tambaram, Avadi, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchy and Salem. “The government will also establish Tamil Nadu Tech City at Chennai, Coimbatore and Hosur,” he said.

Disclosing the government’s decision to revise the guideline value to the rates prevailing till June 8, 2017 and to reduce the registration fee to 2%, the finance minister said that henceforth for deeds of sale, gift, exchange, 5% stamp duty, 2% transfer duty and 2% registration fee will be applicable.

On the industries side, PTR said the next global investors’ meet will be organised in Chennai on Jan 10, 11 next year at Rs 100 crore.

Rs 2,000 crore to protect coast, set up wildlife park

Continuing its commitment in preserving the environment and wildlife, the State government has allocated Rs 1,248 crore for 2023-2024 for the environment, forest and climate change department.

The State will implement TN Coastal Restoration Mission with World Bank assistance at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore in the next 5 years.

“Due to increasing vagaries of climate change and pressure caused by the burgeoning population, the coastal ecosystem and the livelihood of the population are likely to be severely affected in the future. The government will implement the TN Coastal Restoration Mission to prevent sea erosion, reduce marine pollution and conserve marine biodiversity,” the budget announcement said.

The State government will also notify a new wildlife sanctuary called Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with 80,567 hectares in the forest areas of Anthiyur and Gobichettipalayam Taluks in Erode district to link The Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve with Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary.

This will be the 18th wildlife sanctuary in the State. It’d also set up an International Bird Centre at Marakkanam at around Rs 25 crore.

The centre is expected to promote conservation of birds, encourage research in the field of ornithology and create awareness about the role of birds in nature.

“The government will launch the Climate Warriors, a literacy programme led by women Self Help Groups (SHG) in the State. In the first phase, 500 SHGs will lead this green campaign to spread awareness on climate change,” the government announced. SHGs will be given electric autos at a cost of Rs 20 crore.