Muslim worshippers pray at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca. Image used for representational purposes only
| Photo Credit: AFP
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) said the subsidy provided by the Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee to first-time Haj pilgrims will be increased from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000.
Presenting the Revised Budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly, Mr. Wilson said the government has allocated ₹372 crore for pre-matric and post-matric educational scholarships, ₹77 crore towards the tuition fees of students pursuing medicine and dentistry under the 7.5% reservation, and ₹13.41 crore as incentives for girl students to prevent school dropouts, to ensure that students belonging to the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and De-notified Communities can pursue school and higher education without hindrance.
Besides, additional Christian and Muslim Women Aid Societies will be formed with an allocation of ₹1.05 crore, while ₹34 crore has been allocated in the Revised Budget Estimates to improve the infrastructure of burial grounds and kabarsthans, he said.
The State government has allocated ₹1,700 crore for the Welfare of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, and Minorities Department.
Assistance to disabled persons
The Department for the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons has been allocated ₹1,485 crore.
Financial assistance of up to 50% of the cost of equipment, subject to a maximum of ₹30,000, will be provided for purchasing modern AI-based assistive devices not covered under the existing assistive devices distribution scheme, including sports prosthetic legs, myoelectric signal-operated upper limb prostheses, other high-end assistive devices, and cochlear implant batteries, he said.
The Finance Minister said government institutions for persons with intellectual disabilities named ‘Nambikkai Illam’ will be established in Thanjavur, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Cuddalore, and Virudhunagar districts. These institutions will provide special education, early intervention services, rehabilitation, and vocational training to children aged three years and above. Initially, each institution will function as a day school with 50 students before being upgraded to include residential facilities. An amount of ₹4 crore has been allocated for this.
Published – August 05, 2026 12:15 pm IST
