Chennai: The ruling DMK, Congress, and CPI allies on Tuesday welcomed the interim budget for 2026-27 presented by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu. They praised the government’s emphasis on maintaining welfare schemes amid a cash crunch, and demanded increased allocations for education, MSMEs, and employment-related measures. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) President K. Selvaperuthagai said the budget reflects the state government’s continued focus on women’s empowerment and social security. He cited the recent transfer of ₹5,000 to 13.1 million women beneficiaries, as well as the ₹3,000 Pongal assistance and the monthly entitlement of ₹1,000 in recent weeks, totaling ₹9,000. He said beneficiaries have received ₹39,000 since the scheme’s launch, helping to secure livelihoods. He also welcomed the continuation of the lunch and breakfast scheme, which benefited 19.34 lakh students, and the announcement of 30,000 houses for sanitation workers.
Referring to the recovery and renovation of temple properties, he said these steps demonstrate the government’s secular approach. Selvaperunthagai criticized the central government for withholding funds to Tamil Nadu under centrally sponsored schemes, citing pending releases for the Samagra Shiksha, Jal Jeevan Mission, and rural local bodies, and noted that the state had released the central share for the Chennai Metro. Despite the difficulties, he said Tamil Nadu had strengthened its finances and recorded a per capita income of ₹3.62 lakh, higher than the national average. Communist Party of India State Secretary M. Veerapandian welcomed the continuation of welfare schemes and the focus on support for women, students, farmers, and backward groups. He praised the allocations for school and higher education, agriculture, infrastructure and industrial growth, and measures for people with disabilities and skill development in emerging technologies. However, he demanded more funding for MSMEs and expressed concern over the lack of any announcement on salary increases and regularization for contract and temporary workers.
CHENNAI: Allies praise welfare promotion
