PMK Founder Ramadoss Criticizes Tamil Nadu Budget: “No New Schemes Announced”
The 2025-26 Tamil Nadu Budget, presented by the state government, has come under severe criticism from Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder Dr. S. Ramadoss, who stated that it lacks new schemes beneficial to the people.
In a statement, Ramadoss remarked that while the budget was introduced under the slogan “Everything for Everyone,” in reality, it ended up delivering “Nothing for Anyone.”
Key Sectors Lacking Adequate Fund Allocation
Ramadoss strongly criticized the budget for not providing sufficient funding for crucial sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture. He pointed out that:
- Education: The government has not allocated adequate funds to improve government schools and provide necessary facilities for students.
- Healthcare: Despite the need for better medical infrastructure, no significant announcements have been made in this sector.
- Agriculture: The budget lacks schemes to improve the condition of farmers or promote modern agricultural technology, which is essential for food security.
He emphasized that these are the primary sectors that directly affect people’s lives, and failing to invest in them is a major drawback of the budget.
Free Laptop Scheme – A Deceptive Announcement?
The Tamil Nadu government announced free laptops for students as part of the budget. However, Ramadoss criticized this move, stating that it is merely an eye-washing tactic rather than a practical solution.
He noted that similar announcements had been made in previous years, but they failed in execution due to poor quality laptops and delayed distribution. He questioned the government’s sincerity in implementing such schemes and accused it of misleading the public.
Last Full Budget of the DMK Government – A Disappointment?
Since this is the last full-fledged budget of the DMK government before the 2026 state elections, there was widespread anticipation that it would include people-centric schemes.
Many expected that the budget would introduce welfare programs and new projects to win public support ahead of the elections. However, the absence of new announcements has left both the public and opposition parties disappointed.
Why No Announcement on Making Tamil a Mandatory Subject?
Ramadoss also questioned why the Tamil Nadu government did not introduce any policy to make Tamil a compulsory medium of instruction or a mandatory subject in schools.
He criticized the government for claiming to promote the Tamil language but failing to take concrete steps toward its widespread implementation in the education system.
Rising Debt Burden on the Public
Ramadoss further highlighted that by the end of this financial year, every individual in Tamil Nadu will bear a debt burden of ₹1.25 lakh.
He blamed the government for continuously borrowing without effective financial management and warned that increasing debt would have severe economic consequences in the long run.
Criticism from Other Political Parties
The budget has also faced criticism from other political leaders:
- CPI (Communist Party of India) State Secretary R. Mutharasan pointed out that the budget failed to address issues such as job security for contract workers and the withdrawal of pension benefits under the 100-day employment scheme.
- Vijay, leader of Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi (ThaVeKa) and an ally of the DMK, slammed the budget for being detached from the people’s needs and accused the government of not fulfilling its election promises.
Conclusion
Dr. S. Ramadoss’ remarks highlight major shortcomings in the 2025-26 Tamil Nadu Budget, raising serious questions about its effectiveness in addressing public welfare.
With no new projects, an increasing debt burden, and insufficient allocations for crucial sectors, the budget has been widely perceived as a disappointment among both the public and opposition parties.
Now, all eyes are on the Tamil Nadu government’s response to these criticisms.
