Chennai, Feb 6: Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has launched a fierce attack on the DMK government, accusing it of failing to fulfill its poll promise of waiving education loans. He criticized the recent announcement to cancel ₹48.95 crore worth of student loans, calling it an insignificant amount compared to the total outstanding education loan balance in the state.
Loan Waiver a ‘Drop in the Ocean’
Citing official data, Annamalai pointed out that as of December 31, 2021, the total education loan debt in Tamil Nadu stood at ₹16,302 crore. Against this massive figure, the DMK government’s decision to waive only ₹48.95 crore was insufficient and a betrayal of students’ trust, he argued.
“The DMK’s failure to fulfill its promise has forced thousands of students into loan defaults,” he said, adding that ₹4,124 crore worth of education loans were classified as bad debts in 2023 due to the government’s inaction.
Discrimination Against Marginalized Students?
Annamalai also criticized the eligibility criteria used by the government for identifying loan beneficiaries, arguing that it discriminates against students from marginalized communities who may struggle to access government databases.
“This selective waiver leaves many deserving students in the lurch,” he said, urging the government to extend the loan waiver to all students in need.
‘DMK’s Habit of Breaking Promises’
The BJP leader accused the DMK of repeatedly making tall election promises and failing to deliver. “This cycle of deception has led to a massive accumulation of education loans, pushing students and parents into financial distress,” he remarked.
Call for Complete Loan Waiver
Annamalai urged the Stalin government to keep its word and cancel the entire education loan burden of students across Tamil Nadu. With mounting criticism, the DMK now faces increasing pressure to address the concerns of student borrowers ahead of the next election cycle.