Tamil Nadu

State Economy, Revenue & Welfare Schemes

Montek Singh Ahluwalia Committee: The Tamil Nadu government constituted a committee headed by economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia to suggest measures for revenue augmentation to mobilize an additional ₹15,000 crore.
Key Welfare Schemes Announced in Budget:
- Annan Seer Scheme: Provides an 8-gram (one-sovereign) gold coin and a silk saree to eligible brides.
- Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam: Gifting a 1-gram gold ring to infants born at government hospitals.
- Free Electricity Expansion: Incremental free electricity coverage up to 200 units (from 100 units) for domestic consumers using up to 500 units bimonthly.
- Crop Loan Waiver: Coverage extended up to ₹75,000 for farmers.
- Milch Cows Distribution: Distribution of free milch cows to the rural poor to mitigate climate and drought impacts.
- Super Clean Super Campus: Infrastructure improvement drive launched in government schools.

Mecca Joint Defence Pact:
- Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan signed a trilateral mutual defence agreement (functioning similarly to NATO’s Article 5) establishing a collective security mechanism.