Tamil Nadu Budget: ₹300-crore habitation development scheme for Adi Dravidars announced
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) said the State government will implement the ‘Iyothee Thass Pandithar Habitation Development Scheme’
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) said the State government will implement the ‘Iyothee Thass Pandithar Habitation Development Scheme’ to ensure comprehensive socio-economic development in urban and rural Adi Dravidar habitations by upgrading basic infrastructure and improving living standards at a cost of ₹300 crore. Presenting the Revised Budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly, the Finance Minister said ‘Mannin Magal Thittam’ will be implemented to help Adi Dravidar and tribal women agricultural labourers become landowners. Beneficiaries will also be trained in modern agricultural technologies to adopt advanced farming practices and improve productivity.
A sum of ₹20 crore has been allocated for the scheme. Tamil Nadu Budget 2026 LIVE updates: Finance Minister Marie Wilson announces one-sovereign gold coin for brides in TVK-led govt.’s maiden Budget Education scholarship Under the ‘Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship Scheme’ for students pursuing higher education in renowned international universities, a maximum of ₹36 lakh per student will be provided. During the current year, the scheme will benefit 362 students at a cost of ₹131 crore. This is the highest-ever sanction under the scheme, Mr. Wilson said.
He also said the ‘Vetri Entrepreneur Scheme’ will be implemented to ensure sustainable development and improve the livelihoods of Adi Dravidar and Tribal people by providing capital subsidy and interest subvention, and ₹75 crore has been allocated for the scheme in the current financial year. Under the ‘Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme’, loans and capital subsidy will be provided to encourage entrepreneurship among Adi Dravidar and tribal people, ensuring their economic development and self-sufficiency, and ₹165 crore has been allocated for this scheme, he said. The ‘Aandror Membattu Thittam’ will be implemented to improve basic amenities in tribal habitations, including houses, roads, drinking water, streetlights, livelihood schemes, health infrastructure, education-related scholarship schemes, and school and hostel improvement works at a cost of ₹250 crore, he said.
Under the Special Components Plan for Adi Dravidars, an allocation of ₹25,225 crore has been made, while ₹2,079 crore has been allocated under the Tribal Sub-Plan for the welfare of tribal communities. The Social Justice Department has been allocated ₹3,937 crore.
The BriefWire