Vijay Government’s Big Budget Push : ₹812 Crore for Gold Coin and Silk Saree Scheme

Chennai : The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu has announced a major welfare initiative for women in its first state budget for 2026-27, proposing to provide an 8-gram gold coin along with a silk saree to eligible women on the occasion of marriage.

The announcement seeks to fulfil a key promise made by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in the party’s Assembly election manifesto. The scheme has emerged as one of the major highlights of the government’s first budget.

The Tamil Nadu Finance Minister, N. Mary Wilson, presented the TVK government’s first budget in the state Assembly on Wednesday. The budget proposes an allocation of ₹812 crore for the gold coin and silk saree scheme aimed at women beneficiaries. The government has described the initiative as an important step towards supporting women and fulfilling its electoral commitments.

Marriage Promise Turns Into Budget Announcement
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had promised during the Assembly election campaign that women would receive a special gift on the occasion of marriage. The latest budget announcement is aimed at putting that promise into action. Under the proposed ‘Brothers Gift Scheme’, eligible women will receive an 8-gram gold coin, along with assistance through the silk saree component of the programme.

The announcement has attracted considerable attention because of the value of the proposed benefit and its focus on women. The government has also said that its broader welfare agenda will focus on improving social security while ensuring that public funds are used effectively.

Haj Subsidy Increased The budget also contains measures aimed at supporting religious and minority communities. The government has proposed increasing the subsidy for first-time Haj pilgrims from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000. In addition, ₹1.05 crore has been allocated for Christian and Muslim women’s welfare associations.

The government has also announced ₹34 crore for the development of five Christian and Muslim burial grounds across the state. These allocations form part of the government’s stated effort to extend welfare measures to different sections of society.

Tamil Nadu Government Calls for NEET Abolition
During the budget presentation, the Finance Minister also reiterated the state government’s demand for the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The government urged the Centre to consider restoring an admission system based on Class 12 marks, arguing that school-level academic performance should play a greater role in determining admissions.

The NEET issue has remained a politically sensitive subject in Tamil Nadu, with successive state governments raising concerns about its impact on students and access to medical education.

Major Push for Artificial Intelligence Skills
The budget also places considerable emphasis on technology and future employment opportunities. The government announced plans to train 5 lakh students in artificial intelligence skills by 2031. The programme will cover students studying in engineering colleges, polytechnic institutions and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

The initiative is aimed at preparing Tamil Nadu’s youth for emerging opportunities in the technology sector and strengthening the state’s position as a hub for artificial intelligence and advanced digital skills.

Focus on Sports and Olympic Dreams
The government has also announced plans to establish 10 Olympic Centres of Excellence across Tamil Nadu with an allocation of ₹5.50 crore. The objective is to identify and nurture sporting talent and help athletes compete successfully at national and international levels.

The Finance Minister said the initiative is aimed at strengthening Tamil Nadu’s sporting ecosystem and supporting the state’s ambition of producing athletes capable of winning medals at the Olympic Games.

First Budget Under TVK Government
The first budget of the TVK government comes with a combination of welfare measures, minority development initiatives, education reforms, sports promotion and technology-focused programmes.

The proposed ₹812-crore gold coin and silk saree scheme for women is expected to remain one of the most closely watched announcements as the government moves towards implementing its election promises.

With the government simultaneously focusing on women’s welfare, AI education, sports infrastructure and its demand for NEET reforms, the budget seeks to present a broad policy agenda for Tamil Nadu. The implementation details and eligibility criteria for the gold coin scheme are expected to determine how widely the benefit reaches among women across the state.