Tamil Nadu finance minister Marie Wilson on Wednesday presented the CM Joseph Vijay-led government's first state budget for the financial year 2026-27, announcing funds for education, women and newborns, sports and Hajj pilgrimage.In his Tamil Nadu budget speech, finance minister Marie Wilson stated that CM Vijay entered politics for the sole purpose of repaying gratitude to the people. (PTI)Beginning his Budget speech, Wilson stated that chief minister Vijay entered politics for the sole purpose of repaying gratitude to the people.Wilson further hailed CM Vijay for his "victory over numerous conspiracies and now leads the state with a commitment to provide good governance and healthy politics."The finance minister revealed that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has planned to achieve a $1.5 trillion economy by 2031.ALSO READ | ₹2,500 a month, plus a gold ring for women: What promises Vijay's TVK made during Tamil Nadu elections campaignHitting out at the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regime, Wilson said the state's debt has doubled.He reaffirmed that TVK will fulfil its election promises in phases, adding that transparency has been introduced into government tendering processes.Additionally, the government also expects to generate up to ₹1,000 crore in additional revenue by charging a special fee on liquor manufacturing units.Budget for education1. Education department fundsFinance minister Marie Wilson revealed that a substantial amount of ₹44,527 crore has been earmarked for the School Education Department, and ₹8,393 crore for the Higher Education Department.Wilson further stated that a portion of the budget has been earmarked to revive Tamil Nadu's educational landscape, with ₹300 crore dedicated to modernising 3,734 state-run schools under the 'Palli Niraivu Thittam'.2. Hygiene and security of schoolsAdditionally, a new initiative, 'Super Clean, Super Campus, to increase and maintain hygiene and security on campuses. Wilson said the initiative will be launched in 10,000 schools during its opening phase, backed by a ₹139 crore fund.The hygiene initiative aims to provide 24x7 protection and consistent maintenance of facilities such as restrooms and drinking water systems.3. Residential schools for rural, underprivileged studentsThe TVK government also announced that modern residential schools will be established under the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Model Schools scheme for rural and underprivileged students.These schools, with an initial investment of ₹125 crore, will provide free education, housing, and healthcare to students from Classes 9 to 12.ALSO READ | 'Uncompromising and firm stand': Vijay's TVK demands complete scrapping of NEETReiterating the TVK government's stance on NEET, Wilson formally urged the central government to restore the medical admissions process based on Class 12 public examination results.4. Laptop schemeFurther, the finance minister announced ₹2,000 crore for the 'Vettri Madikanini Thittam', a laptop scheme, to benefit college students by enhancing their digital learning capabilities and academic resources.5. Law college, training institutesAdditionally, a Special Law College in Madurai will be established, and five new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will be set up across Tamil Nadu, at an estimated cost of ₹90 crore.6. Artificial intelligence in educationWilson said 50,000 students in engineering colleges, polytechnic colleges, and ITIs across the state will receive artificial intelligence (AI) skills training by 2031.Sports and Olympic goalFinance minister Marie Wilson said that ₹5.50 crores has been earmarked to establish 10 Olympic Centres of Excellence across the state, with the aim of winning Olympic gold medals and raising Tamil Nadu's standards to the highest level in international sports.ALSO READ | Free electricity, women's safety: Vijay's first actions after taking oath as Tamil Nadu's chief ministerBenefits to minoritiesThe finance minister said during his Budget speech that educational scholarships for minority students will continue.Wilson said that the subsidy for the Hajj pilgrimage has been increased from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000.Additionally, ₹1.05 crore has been dedicated to support Christian and Muslim women's welfare associations. Wilson said that ₹34 crore has been earmarked for the development of five Muslim burial grounds and cemeteries.Scheme for women, newbornsThe CM Vijay-led government has dedicated ₹812 crore to the "gold coin, silk saree scheme" for women beneficiaries, who will receive eight grams of gold and a silk saree at their wedding.ALSO READ | Amid TVK shock in Tamil Nadu, a look at Vijay’s manifestoFurther, ₹560 crore has been allocated for the gold ring scheme for newborns in government hospitals, a move aimed at fulfilling TVK's electoral promise.Other initiativesFinance minister Marie Wilson revealed that ₹7 crore has been earmarked for the 'Drug-free TN' plan.He listed the TVK government's initiatives, including the closure of 717 liquor outlets and the provision of 200 units of free power to domestic consumers.The regime will also charge a special levy from liquor manufacturing units, expecting to generate up to ₹1,000 crore in additional revenue.(with inputs from ANI, PTI)