Maharashtra’s debt to reach ₹9.32 lakh crore by 2025-26; Every citizen owes ₹72,761
Mumbai: Maharashtra's debt burden is projected to rise to ₹9.32 lakh crore by the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year, translating to a per capita debt of ₹72,761 for the state's estimated 12.8 crore population. According to a report by NGO Samarthan, Maharashtra’s total debt increased by ₹1.02 lakh crore in the past year and is expected to grow by another ₹92,967 crore in the coming fiscal year.
The state’s current debt stands at ₹7.82 lakh crore, with revenue income estimated at ₹5.36 lakh crore for 2024-25 and projected to reach ₹5.61 lakh crore in 2025-26. Financial experts warn that the mounting debt could significantly affect future development projects.
Rupesh Keer, a member of Samarthan, highlighted that Maharashtra’s debt has more than doubled in eight years, rising from ₹4.02 lakh crore in 2017-18 to ₹8.39 lakh crore in 2024-25. He pointed out that each citizen of the state is effectively carrying a financial burden of ₹72,761.
A key concern is the rising interest payments, with Maharashtra set to spend ₹64,659 crore on interest this year, up from ₹54,687 crore last year. Interest payments now account for 11.53% of the state’s total revenue receipts, reducing funds available for infrastructure and welfare initiatives.
The opposition has criticised the government’s financial management, with Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve stating in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, “Maharashtra is spending ₹65,000 crore annually just on interest payments. The government’s mismanagement is evident, and the public will ultimately bear the burden.”
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
