Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 1 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday strongly criticised the Union Budget 2026-27, stating that it has as soon as once more ignored the pursuits of Tamil Nadu and failed to deal with the wants of any part of society.
‘The Union Government’s Budget, which was eagerly awaited, has delivered an excellent better disappointment than regular,’ Stalin mentioned in an announcement.
Referring to the upcoming Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the Chief Minister mentioned, ‘At a time when the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections are quick approaching, we had hoped that no less than this yr Tamil Nadu could be seen to the eyes of the Union BJP Government, and that our rightful voice could be heard. Shattering that expectation, the Union BJP Government has as soon as once more delivered disappointment.’
Criticising the general finances framework, Stalin mentioned, ‘In the Budget for the yr 2026-27 introduced at present in Parliament by the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, the pursuits of Tamil Nadu have been utterly ignored. Moreover, the Budget accommodates no main schemes that might profit any part of society, be it the poor, girls, farmers, or marginalised communities.’
On tax devolution, he acknowledged, ‘We have persistently and strongly maintained that, within the system of tax devolution to states, the Union Government has continued to neglect developed states similar to Tamil Nadu. Once once more, the demand raised by Tamil Nadu and several other different states to extend the states’ share in complete tax revenues from 41 per cent to 50 per cent has been ignored.’
‘The announcement that the states’ share will proceed to stay at simply 41 per cent is deeply disappointing,’ he added.
Raising issues over the Finance Commission allocations, Stalin mentioned, ‘It is very regrettable that Tamil Nadu, which has the second-largest economic system within the nation and makes a major contribution to nationwide financial development,h has been allotted a decrease share of monetary devolution in comparison with different developed states.’
‘It is known that Tamil Nadu’s share of tax devolution will stay at a meagre 4.097 per cent over the following 5 years,’ he mentioned, including, ‘Preliminary estimates point out that this is able to lead to an annual lack of roughly Rs 5,000 crore in comparison with different comparable states.’
Highlighting GST-related issues, the Chief Minister mentioned, ‘It can also be condemnable that, at a time when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms have already adversely affected states’ revenues, Tamil Nadu’s share in Union taxes has been diminished by round Rs 1,200 crore this yr.’
On welfare schemes, Stalin mentioned, ‘While we now have repeatedly emphasised that the Union Government has not launched the Rs 3,112 crore sought by Tamil Nadu beneath the Jal Jeevan ingesting water scheme, it’s alarming that the allocation for this scheme estimated at Rs 67,000 crore within the 2025-26 Budget Estimates has now been slashed to a mere Rs 17,000 crore within the Revised Estimates.’
‘This seems to be nothing wanting an try and utterly stall the scheme,’ he added.
He additional identified reductions in different flagship schemes, saying, ‘After saying an allocation of Rs 19,000 crore within the earlier Budget for the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Rural Roads Development Scheme, the Revised Estimates now present solely Rs 11,000 crore.’
‘Likewise, for the Prime Minister’s rural housing scheme, the allocation has been diminished from the introduced Rs 35,832 crore to Rs 32,500 crore,’ he mentioned.
Commenting on the PM Internship Scheme, Stalin mentioned, ‘While Rs 10,831 crore was introduced for this scheme in final yr’s Budget, the Revised Estimates for 2025-26 allocate a paltry Rs 526 crore. This clearly signifies that the scheme has resulted in a significant failure.’
Expressing disappointment over pending dues, he mentioned, ‘There has been no announcement relating to the non-release of Rs 3,548 crore beneath the Samagra Shiksha scheme on account of Tamil Nadu’s refusal to implement the three-language coverage, nor concerning the pending Rs 3,112 crore beneath the Jal Jeevan Mission.’
‘The absence of any new schemes particularly for Tamil Nadu on this Budget exposes, within the clearest potential phrases, the step-motherly angle with which the Union Government continues to deal with the state,’ Stalin added.
He additionally famous, ‘Even the customary inclusion of a Thirukkural verse within the Union Finance Minister’s Budget speech is lacking this time. There are not any main schemes for Tamil Nadu.’
Concluding his assertion, the Chief Minister mentioned, ‘In complete its disappointment!’
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Union Budget 2026-2027 in Parliament at present.
Finance Minister introduced that Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors might be established, to help the mineral-rich States of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to advertise mining, processing, analysis and manufacturing. (ANI)