Tamil Nadu budget promise falls short on rural housing

CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu allocated just Rs 1,700 crore, or 48.6 per cent, of the Rs 3,500 crore promised for the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam scheme in 2024-25 to build 100,000 rural houses, according to Comptroller and auditor General report tabled in the state assembly on Tuesday.

The scheme was announced at Rs 3.5 lakh per house. Against the stipulated Rs 1,400 crore for SC/ST beneficiaries, the government provided Rs 680 crore, while the general category received Rs 1,020 crore against Rs 2,100 crore.

The audit said the shortfall showed that budget announcements were not fully translated into actual allocations.

A wider implementation gap was flagged in the Chief Minister Thayumanavar Scheme, announced with a Rs 27,922 crore outlay for vulnerable groups including destitute people, elderly persons living alone, single-parent families and orphaned children. No funds were provided in 2024-25, with the scheme sanctioned and launched only in August of the following year.