Blazing a new trail, Tamil Nadu's Budget for 2022-23 looks at the past, present and future of the state with a view to building an inclusive society that excels in education and industrial growth through transparent governance without forgetting its past and ancient glory.
Unlike the Budgets of yore, Tamil Nadu finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan allocates funds for taking the thoughts of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy to a global audience, creating awareness among the youth about the classical antiquity of Tamil and for restoration of ancient buildings.
Adequate funds have been allocated for protecting the environment, conserving cattle life, promoting sports, encouraging women’s education through financial assistance, strengthening the police force, addressing modern-day issues like social media trolling and helping agriculture, which provides an overview of the government's priorities and aspirations. Health, housing, roads, ports and industry are sectors that have received substantial support in the Budget with a futuristic outlook. Additional focus given for education, particularly to women and common people through schemes to enable students pursue higher studies and touch peaks of academic glory and technological excellence, is a sign of the government’s intention to take Tamil Nadu’s disadvantaged sections forward.
Targeted funding for renovating places of worship of minority communities, preventing crimes against women and children, combating narcotic menace and reclaiming encroached public lands point to the government having its fingers on the pulse of the people as these issues had been crying for special attention from the government for long. Not only does the Budget complain about the Union Government not providing the rightful dues to the state that contributes 10 per cent of the nation’s total production, it also vows to continue the fight for the state’s rights. So, the Budget is a continuum of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's adherence to the Dravidian Model, balancing development with social justice, aimed at turning the State into a trillion-dollar economy.
