Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Tables Interim Budget

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu on Tuesday presented the Interim Budget 2026-27 in the state Assembly and allocated a total of Rs 5.463 billion for social security schemes. The minister also alleged in his speech that the union government is leaving no stone unturned to create an artificial financial crisis in Tamil Nadu.

Explaining the government’s flagship plans by making budgetary allocations and its implications, the minister said that in a federal government, there have been several instances in the past where states were treated unfairly by the union government.

He further said: “However, I firmly believe that the magnitude of the challenges faced by this government is unprecedented. Be it refusing to sanction major infrastructure projects for Tamil Nadu, blocking the release of funds for centrally sponsored schemes, curtailing tax revenues without due consultation or imposing unfair conditions to compel expenditure, the union government appears to be leaving no stone unturned to artificially precipitate a fiscal crisis in Tamil Nadu.”

He listed the challenges faced by the government this financial year.

The Minister’s Interim Budget speech lasted approximately 2.30 hours and is considered among the longest speeches.

The assembly election in Tamil Nadu will be held in April 2026 and the elections are expected to be held that month.