Chennai, July 16 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will meet on Thursday to approve the State Budget for 2026-27, clearing the way for its presentation in the Legislative Assembly during the first week of August.  The meeting, scheduled at the Secretariat, is expected to finalise the government’s first full-fledged Budget since the TVK-led administration assumed office earlier this year. The Budget is expected to reflect the new government’s governance priorities while outlining its economic roadmap for the current financial year. As this will be the maiden Budget of the TVK government, it is likely to include several welfare measures, development initiatives and policy announcements aimed at delivering on the party’s election promises. Over the past few weeks, Chief Minister Vijay has held a series of meetings with ministers, senior officials and department secretaries to review Budget proposals prepared by various departments. 

The consultations focused on identifying priority sectors, evaluating new schemes and finalising key allocations before the Budget document is placed before the Cabinet for approval. During the meeting, the Cabinet is expected to discuss the major features of both the State Budget and the Agriculture Budget. Ministers are likely to deliberate on the important proposals to be incorporated in both documents before giving their formal approval. The Agriculture Budget is expected to contain measures to strengthen the farming sector through increased investment in irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, crop productivity and farmer welfare. Government sources indicated that the Budget is likely to contain a number of people-centric announcements covering sectors such as education, healthcare, employment, social welfare, infrastructure and urban development. Several new initiatives aimed at improving public services and accelerating economic growth are also expected to be unveiled. 

Apart from Budget-related discussions, the Cabinet is also expected to consider proposals for approving new industrial investment projects in different parts of Tamil Nadu. These projects are expected to boost manufacturing, create employment opportunities and attract fresh investments into the state. Following the Cabinet’s approval, the Finance Department will complete the final procedural formalities before the Budget is presented in the Assembly. The first Budget of the TVK government is expected to set the tone for the administration’s policy direction and long-term development strategy while outlining its priorities for the year ahead. 

/IANS