Tamil Nadu

Legislative Amendment: The Tamil Nadu government introduced a Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act, 2006, proposing an Environmental and Social Welfare Cess on liquor sales.
Objectives & Fund Utilization: Proceeds from the cess will be directed toward:
- Recycling, safe disposal, and reuse of discarded glass and plastic liquor containers to reduce ecological degradation.
- Funding rehabilitation and de-addiction programs for individuals affected by alcohol addiction.
- Providing welfare measures and financial support to families impacted by addiction, funding public awareness campaigns, and supporting forest and wildlife conservation.

State Revenue Estimates & Fiscal Revisions

Upward Revenue Revisions: Revised Budget Estimates for 2026–27 raised the Total Revenue Receipts (TRR) by ₹5,452 crore (to ₹3,50,027 crore compared to the original Budget Estimate of ₹3,44,575 crore).
Resource Mobilization: Additional revenue targets include ₹3,250 crore from computerised monitoring of mining activity, an additional privilege fee on liquor manufacturers, and increased Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) inflows.

Security Guidelines for Border Renewable Energy Projects:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued national security guidelines introducing a blanket ban on renewable energy projects (solar, wind, hybrid) within 1 km of international borders.
- Projects proposed between 1 km and 20 km require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence, while projects up to 50 km require MHA security clearance.

Trilateral Mecca Defence Pact:
- Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement establishing a collective deterrence framework among the three nations.