Tamil Nadu Information and Publicity Department Gets Rs 292.77 Crore Revised Estimate for 2026-27
The allocation for Information and Publicity under the 2220 head has been revised from Rs 243.53 crore in the interim estimate to Rs 278.91 crore.
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Department of Information and Public Relations has been allocated a revised budget estimate of Rs 292.77 crore for 2026-27, covering information and publicity, social security and welfare, public works and other related activities.
Presenting the demand for information and publicity, minister for school education, Tamil development, information and publicity Rajmohan said the Tamil Nadu department of information and public relations has been allocated a revised budget estimate of Rs 292.77 crore for 2026-27.
The allocation for Information and Publicity under the 2220 head has been revised from Rs 243.53 crore in the interim estimate to Rs 278.91 crore. He tabled the overall revised estimate under Demand No. 28 the Minstands at Rs 292.77 crore.
The department’s policy focus includes strengthening communication between the government and people through traditional media, digital platforms and field-level publicity. District Information and Public Relations Offices have been modernised and are using digital technologies to disseminate information on government schemes and welfare initiatives.
He said Journalist welfare remains a major component of the department’s activities. The monthly pension for eligible journalists has been increased from Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000, benefiting 399 journalists who have completed 20 years of service and are in indigent circumstances. The family pension for families of pensioner-journalists has also been enhanced from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,500 per month for 75 families.
The minister said The Journalist Welfare Fund provides medical financial assistance of up to Rs 2.5 lakh for serious illnesses. A separate Family Benefit Fund has provided assistance to families of 130 journalists who died while in service, with assistance linked to their years of service. The government has also sanctioned Rs 2 lakh accident relief to families of journalists who die in accidents.
The department has issued 2,318 press accreditation cards and 377 press passes in 2026. Accredited journalists are also provided free bus travel passes for news-gathering purposes. The Chennai Institute of Journalism at Kotturpuram has offered a postgraduate diploma since 2025-26, with 39 students receiving degrees at its first convocation in June 2026.
Digital communication has expanded substantially. The Media Hub has created 17,324 digital media contents for 37 government departments and produced another 22,150 creative assets for dissemination through 38 district offices. The department’s social media operations include videos, reels, information cards, WhatsApp messages and campaigns aimed at improving public awareness.
The department also maintains 219 memorials, statues, memorial halls, pillars and monuments across Tamil Nadu. Its State Information Centre in Chennai houses about 73,835 books, while 2,500 historical and literary works have been digitised under the e-library initiative.
The government publication Tamilarasu, published in Tamil and English, continues to disseminate information on welfare schemes, government achievements and policy initiatives. The department also supports the film and television sector, including film subsidies, television awards and training through the Tamil Nadu Government M.G.R. Film and Television Institute.
The State Information Centre library has about 73,835 books, with 2,500 works digitised.
