- Deputy Chief Minister and State Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam presented the State Budget in the Assembly for the 10th time in a three-hour-fifteen-minute speech on February 14.
- Tamil Nadu’s economic growth for 2019-20 is projected to be 7.27%, a fall from 8.17% in 2018-19 due to global and national economic headwinds.
- Tamil Nadu government’s fiscal deficit is estimated to be 2.84%.
Highlights of Tamil Nadu Budget 2020 – 21
- Food parks proposed to be established in Dharmapuri, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Karur, Nagapatnam, Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi districts at a cost of Rs 70 crore.
- The state intends to launch Uzhavar-Aluvalar Thodarpu Thittam soon - for a closer interface of officials with farmers.
- The government has decided to form a ‘not-for-profit’ Special Purpose Vehicle to finance and manage the Amma Unavagam programme.
- Environmental Clearance for Athikadavu - Avinashi irrigation scheme has been obtained Rs. 500 crores.
- Eco-restoration of the Buckingham Canal, its drains and all the drains of the Cooum and Adyar at a total cost of Rs.5,439.76 crore to be taken up.
- Rs 34,181.73 crore allocated for School Education Department, Rs 5,052.84 crore for Higher Education.
- Stamp duty tax has been reduced to 0.25 per cent from the earlier 1 per cent.
- Fisheries department - To improve communication for fishermen more mechanised boats to be fitted with transponders.
- Chennai - Peripheral Ring Road and Chennai to Kanyakumari industrial corridor projects with an allocation of ₹1,000 crore each.
- The ring road project will provide access to Ennore port.
- The Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned ₹12.21 crore for a site museum at Keeladi.
- The government has allocated funds for the ongoing construction of a desalination plant at Nemmeli and to start work for another plant at Perur.