Got a WhatsApp forward today:
Intrigued, I wanted to check if the numbers quoted are right. And how Tamil Nadu compared with other states. I took Uttar Pradesh.
First, let’s see Tamil Nadu’s numbers. Its budget is available here.
So, the 1,42,800 number is right. However, we should take the overall collection, which is the net receipts. That is the amount available for the government to spend.
Next is to check the salaries given.
Those numbers are right too. So, 110% of the state tax revenue receipt is going for salaries, pensions, and interest on debt repayment.
The GSDP of Tamil Nadu for 2022–23 is estimated to be Rs 24,84,807 crore. The revenue deficit is to be 52,781 crore. And the fiscal deficit is to be 90,114 crore.
Let’s see UP’s numbers. The state’s own tax collection is estimated to be Rs 2,10,044 crore.
Let’s see how much UP spends on salaries, pensions, and interest on debt.
Total expenditure is Rs 2,76,635 crore. Which is 131% of tax receipts that the state collects.
So, we can clearly see TN is better placed than UP.
