TN Budget: Critics slam 'Vetri' rebranding of existing welfare schemes

The maiden budget presented by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has fuelled controversy after several existing welfare schemes were rebranded, with many receiving the prefix or word “Vetri” (Victory), a name closely linked to the ruling party’s identity.

Critics and the Opposition have accused the new administration of merely affixing new labels to already existing programmes launched by previous governments instead of introducing substantive change or fulfilling key election promises.

Opposition leaders have strongly condemned the exercise.

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) party general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth said while the government has focused on renaming schemes, it has offered no concrete announcements to ease the debt burden on the people. “Rather than changing names, the schemes must be implemented in a manner that truly benefits the public,” she said.

Key schemes that underwent name changes

Ungal Kaiyil Ulagam laptop scheme → Vetri Laptop

Chief Minister’s Library → Digital Library

Free Bicycle Scheme → Naveena Mithivandi Thittam

Government Model Schools and Excellence Schools → Kamarajar Special Schools

Naan Mudhalvan skill development programme → Vetri Skill Training Scheme

Nannilam scheme → Mannin Magal Thittam

Sheep and Goat Rearing Promotion Scheme → Vetri Magalir Aadu Valarppu Thittam (Vetri Women Goat Rearing Scheme)

Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing scheme → Vetri Veedu Vazhangum Thittam (Vetri Housing Scheme)

Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai → Magalir Urimai Thittam

‘Only change of name’

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami said,“They spoke of ‘change,’ but all they have done is put stickers on existing schemes and renamed them. This is the change brought by the Vijay-led government.”

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Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin was scathing in his assessment, calling the budget “a big zero”. He said the Opposition had demanded a roadmap for fulfilling election promises, yet none appeared in the Budget. “Schemes introduced during DMK rule have simply been given new stickers and renamed. Is changing the names of schemes what they mean by ‘change’?” he asked.

‘Vetri’ branding criticised

Udhayanidhi further pointed out that the TVK’s poll promise of providing a gold ring (thayimaman thanga modhiram) to all children had been diluted in the Budget to cover only babies born in government hospitals, a move he described as disappointing. He also said that schemes earlier named after Dr B R Ambedkar, Ayothidasar and K Kamaraj during the previous DMK regime now carry the “Vetri” tag under the new government.

Also read: Tamil Nadu govt’s welfare schemes spark clash with Centre

Political observers note that naming government schemes after iconic leaders has long been a feature of Tamil Nadu’s welfare politics, serving both as tribute and political branding. The TVK administration’s decision to replace several such names with “Vetri” has therefore been interpreted by critics as an attempt to imprint the ruling party’s identity on popular programmes rather than introduce fresh initiatives.