The TVK government’s first budget will be presented on August 5 in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The first budget of the government under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will be presented by Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 5 August 2026.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat in Chennai on July 21 (Tuesday), Legislative Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar said the budget session will begin on August 5 at 10 am.

Mr Wilson will present the financial budget for the financial year 2026-27. Meanwhile, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Vinoth will present the agriculture budget on August 6.

The Business Advisory Committee will be convened on August 5 after the presentation of the financial budget and will decide on the schedule of the budget meeting. According to him, the entire meeting of the council, including the discussion on requests for subsidies, will be broadcast live.

He urged all members of the legislature to participate fully in the debates and express their views. When opposing views are raised, both the ruling party and the opposition have a duty to discuss and respond to them, the spokesman said, expressing hope that the assembly would function peacefully.

On the arrest of Vilathikulam DMK MLA

Responding to a question regarding the arrest of Vilathikulam MLA GV Markandayan for his alleged defamatory remarks against the Chief Minister and whether the Speaker’s permission was required before arresting the MLA, Mr. Prabhakar said his office had received a communication regarding the arrest.

“Assembly rules 291 and 292 clearly specify places where arrests cannot be made without the consent of the speaker. There is no requirement to obtain the consent of the speaker when an MLA is arrested in connection with an incident that takes place outside the places specifically mentioned in the assembly rules,” he said.

The Superintendent of Police, Thoothukudi District 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 must formally inform the other MLAs. In this case, the MLAs will be informed about Mr. Markandayan’s arrest,” Mr. Prabhakar said.

He said that if brought to the notice of any written complaint regarding remarks allegedly made by an MLA about what he intended to do inside the House or statements that could undermine the dignity of the assembly, it would be looked into and appropriate action would be taken.

On an EPS complaint under the anti-defect law

Responding to a question regarding the notices issued under the Anti-defection Act to four former AIADMK MLAs — Maragatham Kumaravel (Madhuranthagam), P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram), S. Jayakumar (Perundurai) and Esaki Subaya (Ambasamudram) — who, when they were House Trustees in the AIADMK assembly, voted for 13 assembly members despite the AIADMK whip, the spokesperson said that from them they received written explanations.

“Their explanations have been forwarded to AIADMK MLA Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who filed the complaint. His reply is awaited. After receiving his reply, appropriate action will be taken and investigation is on,” he added.

Published – 21 Jul 2026 12:59 IST