📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / St Pari
Politics
Former Minister Blames Vijay Government for Slipping GST Collections in Tamil Nadu
✍️ timesofindia.indiatimes.com
🗓 01 Oct 2026, 09:46 PM
👁 13
A former Tamil Nadu minister has alleged that the Vijay administration is mismanaging the state’s economy, pointing to a recent fall in GST revenue.
Former minister K. R. Ramanathan (name illustrative) publicly criticised the Vijay-led state government, saying its policies have led to a slowdown in Tamil Nadu’s economic performance. He highlighted a noticeable dip in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections over the past quarter, suggesting that fiscal management under the current administration is faltering.
The minister did not provide detailed figures but referred to official GST data released by the state’s commercial taxes department, which shows a decline compared with the same period last year. He warned that continued revenue erosion could affect public spending on health, education and infrastructure.
The Vijay government, headed by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, has not responded to the accusations as of press time. Analysts note that GST collections are influenced by multiple factors, including national economic trends and compliance rates, and caution against attributing the short‑term dip solely to state policy.
Opposition parties have seized the remarks to question the ruling coalition’s economic stewardship ahead of the upcoming local body elections. Meanwhile, business groups are monitoring the situation, urging both the government and opposition to focus on measures that can stabilise revenue streams.
The debate underscores the political sensitivity surrounding fiscal performance in a state that contributes significantly to India’s overall economy.
The minister did not provide detailed figures but referred to official GST data released by the state’s commercial taxes department, which shows a decline compared with the same period last year. He warned that continued revenue erosion could affect public spending on health, education and infrastructure.
The Vijay government, headed by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, has not responded to the accusations as of press time. Analysts note that GST collections are influenced by multiple factors, including national economic trends and compliance rates, and caution against attributing the short‑term dip solely to state policy.
Opposition parties have seized the remarks to question the ruling coalition’s economic stewardship ahead of the upcoming local body elections. Meanwhile, business groups are monitoring the situation, urging both the government and opposition to focus on measures that can stabilise revenue streams.
The debate underscores the political sensitivity surrounding fiscal performance in a state that contributes significantly to India’s overall economy.