Amma’s largesse flowing out from day one of the new government she is heading – another term of five years starting May 23 –is all good politics but is a surefire recipe for disaster in the long run as the state’s finances are already in a mess.

Development economists are wondering if this seemingly short term manna for the masses would turn into a curse that many would groan under in the days to come, as the heavy debt burden begins to crush them under.

Economists and industry leaders, would not want to be named, are deeply worried that the poll promises, some which are already fulfilled, will add to the expenditure that will add to the overall debt burden that is over Rs 2.5 lakh core already. Take the examples, – 8 gram gold to girls from weaker sections getting married, farm loan waivers, free 100 units power to all households and shut down of 500 TASCMAC liquor shops in the state – the first of the five files that Jayalaliithaa signed on Monday, would cost an additional Rs 15000 crore per annum, at a rough estimate, said an industry source unwilling to be named.

Prof S Janakarajan, professorial consultant with Madras Institute of Development Studies, said the state already crippled under a heavy debt burden of Rs 2.5 lakh crore, these sops and freebies would increase the debt burden further and pull the economy down further.

Farm loan waivers to cost Rs 5780 crore, free 100 units of power to every household to cost Rs 1607 crore—when added to estimated cost of additional free power to weavers and the doubling of gold to 8 grams is expected to touch Rs 15000 crore.

Phased prohibition, under which 500 TASMAC liquor shops were shut down , will impact the revenues of the state that are roughly estimated at Rs 27,000 crore per annum.

Jayalalithaa’s promise of central government pay scales under seventh pay commission to state government employees will set back the state by another Rs 15,000 crore. If you add free mobiles, free set-top boxes, free laptops with internet for 10th and 12th class students, it comes to another whopping Rs 15000 crore.

According to industry estimates, the cost of 50 per cent subsidy to women to purchase two whllers would vost Rs 15000 crore, as per industry estimates. The other promises would entail an expenditure of Rs 20000 crore, as per rough estimates.