PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss Criticizes DMK's Interim Budget, Warns of Debt Trap
In a sharp critique of the 2026-27 interim budget presented by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has accused the DMK government of pushing Tamil Nadu into a severe debt trap. He highlighted that the state borrowed Rs 1.84 lakh crore in the 2025-26 fiscal year, imposing a staggering burden of Rs 1.27 lakh per citizen.
Financial Mismanagement and Revenue Shortfalls
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Anbumani detailed the fiscal discrepancies. Despite generating an own tax revenue of Rs 2.06 lakh crore, which accounts for 90% of total receipts through loans, the capital expenditure was only Rs 51,443 crore. This figure falls short by 8% compared to the targeted Rs 57,231 crore. Furthermore, after repaying Rs 55,844 crore in prior debts using new borrowings, a concerning Rs 77,223 crore remains unaccounted for in the state's finances.
The revenue deficit has ballooned by 66% to Rs 69,219 crore, starkly contrasting with the budgeted Rs 41,635 crore. This increase occurs despite the DMK's earlier promises to eliminate the deficit entirely. Total receipts have shrunk by 6.6% to Rs 3.09 lakh crore, accompanied by a 6.5% shortfall in tax revenue.
Historical Debt Accumulation and Bankruptcy Warnings
Anbumani emphasized that over the last five years, the DMK government has accumulated a debt of Rs 4.96 lakh crore. This amount exceeds the total debt accumulated in the 70 years prior to 2021, which stood at Rs 4.56 lakh crore, by a shocking 109%. He issued a dire warning, stating that if the DMK continues to govern, Tamil Nadu risks becoming bankrupt. Anbumani claimed that voters are poised to oust the DMK in the upcoming elections to prevent the state from being effectively pledged to banks.
Recruitment Controversy and Alleged Hypocrisy
In a separate statement, Anbumani urged the government not to cancel the recruitment of 2,708 assistant professors for government arts and science colleges. He warned that such a move would shatter the aspirations of youth who have waited for 13 years, especially after the competitive exam results from December 27, 2025, remain unpublished. The Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) had notified the recruitment process on October 16, 2025, with applications accepted until November 10. Provisional answer keys were issued on January 5, 2026, and objections were invited by January 13. Typically, results are declared within a week after objections, but the board has not announced them even after a month, fueling fears of cancellation due to fiscal constraints ahead of the 2026 polls.
Anbumani alleged hypocrisy in the DMK government's actions, noting that while it claims insufficient funds for salaries, it disburses Rs 6,550 crore as advances for women's aid schemes. This contrast raises questions about the government's spending priorities and fiscal management.
