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Tamil Nadu to Table Interim Budget Feb 17, Slams Union Budget as Disappointing

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu will present the state's interim budget for 2026-27 on February 17. The minister has sharply criticized the recent Union Budget 2026, stating it has disappointed the people of Tamil Nadu by ignoring long-standing demands for key sectors. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget did include proposals for a rare-earth minerals corridor in Tamil Nadu and two new high-speed rail corridors. The state's Vote-on-Account demands will be presented on February 20.

Key Points: TN Interim Budget Feb 17; Finance Minister Criticizes Union Budget

  • Interim Budget presentation on Feb 17
  • Vote-on-Account on Feb 20
  • Criticism of Union Budget 2026
  • No clear announcements for key state sectors
  • Announcement of rare-earth corridor & rail projects
2 min read

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister to present State Interim Budget on February 17

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu to present state interim budget on February 17, criticizes Union Budget 2026 for ignoring state's key demands.

"The long-standing and legitimate demands consistently raised by the Tamil people have once again been ignored. - Thangam Thennarasu"

Thirunelveli, February 7

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker Appavu on Saturday announced that the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister, Thangam Thennarasu, is all set to table the State Interim Budget on February 17.

On that day, the Interim Financial Statement for the year 2026-27 will be presented in the Assembly by the Minister for Finance and Environment and Climate Change.

On February 20, the Vote-On-Account (Interim) Demands for Grants for 2026-27 and the Supplementary Demands for Grants for additional expenditure for 2025-26, under Assembly Rule 189, will be presented in the Legislative Assembly.

Earlier, on Sunday, the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister stated that the Union Budget 2026 has greatly disappointed the people of the state, saying there has been "no clear announcement for key sectors".

Following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Thennarasu took to social media to state, "The long-standing and legitimate demands consistently raised by the Tamil people have once again been ignored."

"The 2026 Union Budget has caused great disappointment among the people of Tamil Nadu. There were no clear announcements for key sectors such as basic infrastructure development, employment, education, healthcare, and industrial investment that are essential for the state's growth. The long-standing and legitimate demands consistently raised by the Tamil people have once again been ignored," Thennarasu's post read.

The Union Budget 2026, tabled on Sunday (February 1, 2026), is the ninth consecutive budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament.

In her budget speech, Sitharaman proposed that the Centre would support Tamil Nadu in setting up a dedicated rare-earth minerals corridor. The corridors will also be set up in three other states: Odisha, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.

Sitharaman also announced seven high-speed railway corridors in India, which it described as "growth connectors" to promote environmentally sustainable passenger systems. Of these, two are in Tamil Nadu - the Chennai-Hyderabad and Chennai-Bengaluru corridors.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Two high-speed rail corridors and a rare-earth minerals corridor for TN is actually a significant announcement from the Centre. While more support is always welcome, we should also acknowledge positive steps. The state budget must now focus on effective implementation and complementary policies. 🤝
K
Karthik V
The constant blame game between state and centre is tiresome. As a taxpayer, I want to see results. Will the interim budget on the 17th actually have concrete plans for employment and controlling price rise, or is it just political posturing before elections? Action speaks louder than words.
S
Sarah B
The focus on a rare-earth minerals corridor is interesting from an environmental and economic perspective. TN has potential here. Hope the state budget allocates funds for skill development in these new sectors and ensures sustainable mining practices. Green growth is the future.
M
Meera T
Chennai-Bengaluru high-speed rail is a dream project! This will boost the tech corridor immensely. But what about improving our local bus and train services? The state budget must not neglect basic public transport for the common man while celebrating these mega projects.
A
Aman W
The minister says key sectors were ignored, but healthcare and education are primarily state subjects. Instead of complaining, the state government should present a robust budget that fills these gaps. Let's see if they put their money where their mouth is on Feb 17. 💰

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