Minister for Non-Resident Tamil Welfare K. Thennarasu on Tuesday announced in the Assembly that the monthly assistance for ex-servicemen and their widows would be increased from ₹4,000 to ₹6,000.

Making the announcements for the Public Department, Mr. Thennarasu said an AI-enabled chatbot and an interactive voice bot would be introduced on the Mudhalvarin Mugavari website at a cost of ₹2.18 crore. Digital kiosks would be installed at the Secretariat and Collectorates to enable the public to access government services.

He also said the monthly cash assistance for Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps would be enhanced to ₹1,800 for the head of the family, ₹1,200 for family members aged above 12 and ₹600 for those aged below 12. The educational assistance provided to children of Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps would be increased by ₹2,000.

He said the State government would institute the ‘Vettri Tamilar Award’ to honour non-resident Tamils who had rendered significant support and assistance for the welfare of Tamils abroad.

Minister for Finance N. Marie Wilson, while making announcements for the Planning and Development Department, said a Health Research Centre would be established in the State Planning Commission to provide policy advice and guidance to the government.

He also said an Evidence-based Government Unit, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency, would be established to enable the government to make and implement decisions based on evidence.