Chennai: TVK govt led by C Joseph Vijay on Thursday accused the previous DMK govt of fiscal mismanagement and of failing to take effective steps to curb a drug culture in Tamil Nadu, blaming widespread availability of narcotics for a breakdown of law and order.In his maiden address to the assembly, governor R V Arlekar said the govt would properly document every rupee and publish a report detailing the Union govt’s “discriminatory approach” in financial devolution to Tamil Nadu. The assembly would pass a resolution demanding the state’s share of tax devolution and a special legal committee would be formed to pursue the matter up to Supreme Court. “Over the past few years, Tamil Nadu’s financial position has faced a very severe deterioration. Owing to revenue leakages and systematic corruption in the revenue and tax-collecting departments, tax revenue has declined from 5.93% of GSDP in the financial year 2021-22 to 5.45% in 2025-26,” the governor said.He cited an additional privilege fee levied recently on liquor manufacturers expected to bring in ₹1,000 crore annually and said the govt would prevent leakages in revenue, govt work, and expenditure, and restore the state’s finances onto a sound path. “All the promises announced by the govt will be fulfilled one by one in the years to come by streamlining the state’s financial position,” he said. In the last five years, Tamil Nadu’s debt has doubled to about ₹10 lakh crore, which is 28.3% of the state’s GSDP. This implies a per-capita debt burden of more than ₹1 lakh. Additionally, around 23% of the state’s total revenue receipts are used only to pay interest on this debt.On drugs, the governor said the govt aims to make Tamil Nadu drugs-free by setting up a special prevention force in every district and taking steps to eradicate trafficking. It cited the closure of 717 retail liquor outlets near places of worship and educational institutions and said it would frame and enforce stringent rules to eliminate illicit liquor, stop illegal sales, and tighten regulation of the liquor sector. Through this, the govt claimed that it could curb excise and distribution malpractices and restore the state’s socio-economic environment.The govt also said it would take swift, stringent action against sexual violence and anti-social activities to secure maximum punishment under law, stressing public peace, rule of law, and safety for women and children. It would curb crimes against women “with an iron hand” and create a safe environment for women and children.
