Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay chaired the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government on Friday, unveiling an ambitious roadmap that includes 436 new projects across multiple departments.
The meeting, held at the State Secretariat, lasted for more than an hour and focused on key development priorities, including youth empowerment, women’s welfare, fishermen’s development and creating a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
436 New Projects Announced
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law, CTR Nirmal Kumar, said the Chief Minister has assigned clear goals and responsibilities to every department.
“The Chief Minister has introduced around 436 projects across various government departments. Each department has been given specific targets, and ministers will now work closely with officials to prepare detailed implementation plans,” Kumar said.
According to the minister, the government aims to ensure that projects move from planning to execution without unnecessary delays.
Youth and Women at the Centre of Development Agenda
A major focus of the cabinet discussions was improving opportunities for young people and strengthening welfare measures for women.
The government plans to introduce initiatives aimed at boosting employment, skill development, education and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth across the state.
Women’s welfare programmes are also expected to receive significant attention, with the administration looking to expand support systems and improve access to economic opportunities.
Special Focus on Fishermen Welfare
The cabinet also discussed measures to strengthen the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities.
Officials are expected to prepare detailed proposals aimed at improving infrastructure, welfare schemes and economic support for fishermen and their families.
Strong Push for a Drug-Free Tamil Nadu
One of the key announcements from the meeting was the government’s commitment to eliminating drug-related activities across the state.
Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar said the administration has already taken several steps to curb substance abuse and illegal drug networks.
“Our ultimate goal is a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Drug circulation increased significantly over the past five years, ranging from ganja to synthetic drugs. The Chief Minister has issued strict directions to completely eradicate this menace,” he said.
Crackdown on Liquor and Banned Products
As part of the anti-drug campaign, the government has already shut down 717 state-run liquor shops.
Authorities have also intensified action against the sale of banned products such as gutkha.
In Madurai alone, more than 24 shops were sealed within a week for allegedly selling prohibited tobacco products.
The minister added that the Goondas Act is being invoked against individuals involved in the distribution and sale of synthetic drugs to strengthen enforcement efforts.
Departments Asked to Prepare Action Plans
The Chief Minister has instructed all ministers and department officials to immediately begin preparing detailed implementation blueprints for the newly announced projects.
Once finalised, the government will establish timelines and monitoring mechanisms to ensure rapid execution.
The first cabinet meeting signals the Vijay government’s intention to focus on governance, social welfare, youth development and law enforcement while pursuing long-term economic and social reforms across Tamil Nadu.
With 436 projects announced at the outset of its tenure, the government has laid out an ambitious agenda that will be closely watched in the months ahead.
