Chennai: The C Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam govt has used its maiden budget to give Tamil Nadu’s welfare architecture a new political identity. Finance minister Marie Wilson on Wednesday announced a string of programmes carrying the prefix ‘Vetri’, signalling govt’s attempt to build its own welfare brand.Yet, the budget document showed that much of these projects and schemes were not new. They continuations, revivals or expanded versions of programmes introduced by successive DMK and AIADMK govts, but under the `Vetri’ label.DMK’s Kalaignar Kanavu Illam Thittam, a housing scheme, has been rechristened Vetri Veedu Thittam with an enhanced allocation of ₹5 lakh against the earlier ₹3.5 lakh. TVK govt allocated a total of ₹3,500 cr to construct 70,000 houses during the current financial year under the scheme.Former chief minister M K Stalin’s pet project, Naan Mudhalvan skill development programme, has been renamed as Vetri Thiran Payirchi, under which 12 lakh students are expected to receive skill training.The exercise has drawn criticism from both DMK and AIADMK. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said govt had promised change but had only renamed schemes introduced by earlier govts. Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin echoed the criticism, asking whether this was the “change” TVK had promised.TVK govt has retained key welfare programmes launched by the previous DMK regime, while also bringing back some of AIADMK’s flagship schemes. The free livestock distribution programme, introduced during AIADMK govt, returns as the Vettri Magalir Goat Rearing scheme with an allocation of ₹10 crore.Govt has also revived the marriage assistance scheme Thalikku Thangam, which was replaced with the Pudhumai Penn scheme in 2022 by DMK regime. The revived scheme has been renamed Annan Seer and allotted Rs 812 cr. Pudhumai Penn scheme, however, will continue.TVK leaders justified the renaming as ‘Vetri’ means success and was not referring to the party’s name – Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam.
