Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has earmarked ₹2,000 crore in the first phase to distribute laptops to college students, state Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu informed the Assembly on Friday.

During a debate, AIADMK legislator Thangamani questioned whether quality laptops could be provided at ₹10,000 per student, based on the budget allocation for 20 lakh students.

Responding, Thennarasu clarified that the government anticipates an average laptop price of ₹20,000, with an additional ₹2,000 crore to be allocated next year.

The final cost will be determined after an open tender process.

"The government is committed to providing high-quality laptops with necessary features that even MLAs would envy. There is no compromise on quality," he asserted.

Thangamani acknowledged the minister's clarification, stating that the phased allocation should have been explicitly mentioned in the budget.