Vijay Govt’s first budget; collateral free education loan of up to Rs 20 lakh for students, big announcements likely

CHENNAI: The government led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is presenting its maiden annual budget today. Reports say there may be big announcements for the education sector in the first full budget of the TVK government. It is reported that schemes including financial assistance of Rs 8000 to students from government schools who get admission in government colleges and free higher education for children of small farmers are under consideration.

The Tamil Nadu budget will be presented today and the agriculture budget tomorrow. The government may once again raise the demand for including education in the state list in the budget. It is indicated that the government's stance on issues such as the National Education Policy and NEET exam will also be clear in the budget.

The new proposals are being considered as part of 'Vettri Tamil Nadu', a five-year plan by the government aimed at reforms in the education sector. The plan aims to strengthen the state's higher education system and ensure educational opportunities for more students.

A scheme to provide educational loans of up to Rs 20 lakh without collateral is also under consideration for students studying from undergraduate studies to research-level courses. A scheme to provide free higher education to the children of small farmers with less than two acres of agricultural land is also likely to be announced.

The government is also considering a proposal to increase the existing 7.5 percent reservation in higher education admissions for government school students to 10 percent. It is reported that there is a plan to start five new government engineering colleges in districts where there are no government professional colleges and to upgrade 30 government arts and science colleges to autonomous institutions.

As part of giving importance to advanced technologies, a proposal to establish a special university called Periyar Institute of Emerging Technology for study and research in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, climate technology, and cyber security is also being considered. These proposals are being considered as part of the five-year education development plan. It is expected that the details of the schemes and implementation methods will be clarified with the budget presentation.