With the election round the corner, the interim budget of Tamil Nadu for the financial year 2026-27 will be presented in the assembly session commencing on February 17, Speaker M Appavu announced on Saturday.
“The session will begin in the morning, and Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu will present the interim budget. He will also present the advance demand for grants for the year 2026-27 as well as additional expenditure for the year 2025-26 for approval,” the Speaker told reporters in Tirunelveli.
Since the assembly election is expected in April-May, this could be the last session of the current Tamil Nadu Assembly. The duration of the session would be decided by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), he said.
Asked about the live telecast of the entire session as is being done in a few states, he said it would be made possible soon, and the Chief Minister too is in favour of it. Only censored versions are telecast in many states, he pointed out.
“In the Tamil Nadu Assembly, live telecast is there for Question Hour with the Ministers’ replies. Soon it would be extended to demand for grants as well. It would be decided by the BAC,” he said and denied the opposition allegation that their speeches are deliberately interrupted in the live telecast. “Each member is given a designated time to present their views, and it is being telecast without any interruption,” he made it clear.
On the ongoing digitisation of Assembly records, Appavu said they are made available online, and anyone can access them.