Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The first Budget of the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led government will be presented by Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 5, 2026.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat in Chennai on July 21 (Tuesday), Speaker of the Legislative Assembly J.C.D. Prabhakar said the Budget session will begin at 10 a.m. on August 5.
Mr. Wilson will present the Finance Budget for the financial year 2026-27. Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Vinoth will present the Agriculture Budget on August 6.
The Business Advisory Committee will be convened on August 5 after the Finance Budget is presented, and it will decide the schedule for the Budget session. The entire proceedings of the Assembly, including the discussion on the demands for grants, will be telecast live, he said.
He urged all Members of the Legislative Assembly to participate fully in the debates and express their views. When opposing views are raised, both the ruling party and the Opposition have a responsibility to debate them and respond, the Speaker said, expressing hope that the Assembly would function peacefully.
On Vilathikulam DMK MLA’s arrest
Responding to a question on the arrest of Vilathikulam MLA G.V. Markandayan over his alleged defamatory remarks against the Chief Minister and whether the Speaker’s permission was required before arresting an MLA, Mr. Prabhakar said his office had received a communication regarding the arrest.
“Assembly Rules 291 and 292 clearly specify the places where an arrest cannot be made without the Speaker’s consent. There is no requirement to obtain the Speaker’s permission when an MLA is arrested in connection with an incident that takes place outside those places specifically mentioned in the Assembly Rules,” he said.
The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi district, has informed his office about the arrest of Mr. Markandayan. “If there is a need to keep the MLA in custody for more than 24 hours, the Speaker is required to formally inform the other MLAs. In this case, the MLAs will be informed about Mr. Markandayan’s arrest,” Mr. Prabhakar said.
He said if any written complaint was brought to his notice regarding the remarks allegedly made by the MLA about what he intended to do inside the House or statements that could undermine the dignity of the Assembly, it would be examined and appropriate action would be taken.
On EPS’s complaint under anti-defection law
Responding to a question on notices issued under the anti-defection law to four former AIADMK MLAs — Maragatham Kumaravel (Madhuranthagam), P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram), S. Jayakumar (Perundurai) and Esaki Subaya (Ambasamudram) — who, while they were AIADMK members in the House, voted in favour of the government during the confidence vote in the Assembly on May 13, in defiance of the AIADMK whip, the Speaker said written explanations had been received from them.
“Their explanations have been forwarded to AIADMK MLA Edappadi K. Palaniswami who lodged the complaint. A response from him is awaited. Appropriate action will be taken after his reply is received, and the inquiry is continuing,” he added.
Published – July 21, 2026 12:59 pm IST
