Chennai, Aug 5 (PTI) The state's revenue deficit in the revised budget estimates for 2026-27 is estimated to rise to Rs 55,775 crore and the fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs 1,21,819 crore, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said on Wednesday.

The overall outstanding liability of the state is estimated to be Rs 10,98,768 crore in the Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27 as against Rs 10,99,458 crore in the Interim Budget Estimates. The outstanding liability includes Public debt and the public account liability of the State.

Presenting the TVK government's maiden Budget, the minister said it was undertaking various measures for additional revenue mobilisation. The additional privilege fee on liquor manufacturers, expected to mobilise an additional annual revenue of up to Rs 1,000 crore, was among the initiatives.

"The fiscal position of the state is in the red, and we have been handed a treasury box that is overburdened with debt and sub optimal income with leaking holes," the minister said adding the government would need at least two years to get the state back on rails of fiscal prudence.

The revenue deficit in the revised budget estimates for 2026-27 is estimated to rise to Rs 55,775 crore. On revenue deficit, the minister said on the strength of the revenue augmentation measures, including improved tax administration and collection efficiency, it is expected to narrow to Rs 53,933 crore in 2027-28 and further to Rs 51,058 crore in 2028-29, thereby creating additional space for capital expenditure in the state.

The fiscal deficit in revised budget estimates 2026-27 (estimated to be 3 per cent of GSDP) is estimated at Rs 1,21,819 crore. In the forthcoming years, fiscal deficit to GSDP ratio is projected to be 2.87 per cent in 2027-28. In 2028-29, it is estimated to be further reduced to 2.80 per cent.

The government plans to avail a total loan of Rs 1,73,445 crore during 2026-27 and make repayment of Rs 51,971 crore. Liabilities under the Public Account are also reckoned along with the Public Debt. Net increase in Public Debt and Liability is estimated at Rs 1,20,964 crore in Revised Budget Estimates as compared to the net increase of Rs 1,21,653 crore estimated in Interim Budget 2026-27. As a result, the outstanding liabilities as on March 31, 2027 will be Rs10,98,768 crore, amounting to 27.01 per cent of GSDP in this fiscal.

However, the public debt includes an amount of Rs 9,523 crore which should reflect in the accounts of the union government after the approval of Chennai Metro Rail Phase–II project as a central sector project. As and when the necessary book adjustments are made by the government of India, the Public Debt will reduce to that extent.

The outstanding debt that is, the overall liability to GSDP ratio in Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27 is estimated at 27.01 per cent as compared to 27.03 per cent in the interim budget estimates 2026-27.

The minister said: "This government will take firm steps towards achieving growth in revenue by sealing the leakages in tax collection, increasing the collection efficiency and through taking revenue augmentation measures." "The government will strive to receive the optimum level of grants in aid receivable from the union government eligible to the state. Through these measures, the revenue and fiscal deficit are expected to decrease in the forthcoming years. This will consequently lead to boosting of capital expenditure and achieving the desirable growth." Wilson said the total revenue receipts of the state government, including the Grants in Aid and transfers from union government are estimated to be Rs 3,50,027 crore in the revised budget estimates 2026-27 as against the interim budget estimates of Rs 3,44,575 crore in 2026-27.

The State’s Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) was estimated to be Rs 2,29,579 crore in the Interim Budget Estimates 2026-27. It is estimated to decrease to Rs 2,26,740 crore in the Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27.

"This erosion is not due to any structural weakness in the economy but due to administrative decline and systemic leakages across Commercial Taxes, State Excise, Stamps and Registration and Mining." Accordingly, the revised estimates has seen a decrease of Rs 2,839 crore over interim estimates. Anticipating plugging of leakages in liquor retail vending, mining, registration, revenue augmentation and better administration, the projection of SOTR is Rs 2,58,483 crore in 2027-28 and Rs 2,94,671 crore in 2028-29. The growth rates of State’s Own Tax Revenue are estimated to be 14 per cent in 2027-28 and 2028-29.

The revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs 4,05,802 crore in Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27, which shows an increase of 3.19 per cent over interim budget estimates 2026-27.

In the Revised Budget Estimates 2026-27, an amount of Rs 56,985 crore is allocated for Capital Expenditure.

"As the new Government is expected to spend more for capital expenditure, the capital expenditure is projected to be Rs 68,382 crore in 2027-28 and Rs.83,426 crore in 2028-29." Also, the government said: "Guided by the high-level revenue augmentation and Expenditure Reforms Committees, the State is executing a structured framework to systematically eliminate revenue leakages, optimize expenditure, and enhance service delivery." PTI VGN VGN SA