Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin | Photo: ANI
Hon’ble Prime Minister Thiru. Narendra Modi who has come to inaugurate and lay foundation stone for several development works, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, Hon’ble Union Ministers Thiru. Nitin Gadkari, Thiru. Ashwini Vaishnav, Thiru. Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Thiru. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka Thiru. Basavaraj Bommai, Hon’ble Union Minister of State Thiru. L. Murugan, Thiru. V.K. Singh, Hon’ble Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly, Chief Secretary and other government officials, My dear people of Tamil Nadu,
Good evening to each and every one of you.
This is the first government function that Hon’ble Prime Minister is takingpart in, after the DMK government took over the reins of the state. Firstly, as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, on behalf of all TamilNadu people, I thank our Hon’ble Prime Minister, for having come to inaugurate several projects for the development of Tamil Nadu.
Today, foundation stones are to be laid for 5 highway projects, 3 railway projects and ETBPNMTPL pipeline project. 1,152 houses constructed as part of Light House Project will be inaugurated. All these are very crucial to the development of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu stands apart as one of the developed states of India in many aspects. Tamil Nadu greatly contributes to the over-all development of our country in the fields of education, economy, health, agriculture, exports and highly skilled human resources. Tamil Nadu play a vital role in India’s development. The development of Tamil Nadu is unique from that of other states.
The development of Tamil Nadu is not just about economy. Tamil Nadu’s development is inclusive with Social Justice, Women’s development, Equality.
Hon’ble Prime Minister!
Tamil Nadu is a leading State - in terms of economic growth, excellent rural health facilities, large number of educational institutions and highly skilled human resources.
Our State is a pioneer, not only in economic and other related factors but also in social justice, equality and women’s empowerment. In brief, Tamil Nadu is a state for inclusive growth.
This is what we call “THE DRAVIDIAN MODEL!”
Honourable Prime Minister...
In this Dravidian Model of governance, while taking various welfare and developmental measures, I wish to inform you, that we have largely corrected the fiscal imbalance and also re-structured the finances of the State. I believe that our Hon’ble Prime Minister is aware of the fact that Tamil Nadu’s contribution is very crucial to India’s development and Union Government’s fiscal resources. To list out a few, TN’s share in India’s GDP is 9.22%. In the overall tax income of Union Government, TN’s share is 6%. TN constitutes 8.4% of India’s total export. TN’s share is 19.4% in India’s Textile Industry and 32.5% in export of cars. In the export of leather products, TN’s contribution is 33%.
Therefore, Union Government must increase its contribution to schemes and fund allocation, to do justice to the contribution lent by developed states like Tamil Nadu in the country’s development and economy. Only then will the true spirit of co-operative federalism be upheld.
In schemes that are jointly implemented by Union government and State governments, States also contribute a lot. For e.g., Tamil Nadu is one of the states that invest the most in highways sector. While projects worth of Rs. 44,762 crores are being implemented for National Highways in Tamil Nadu; we have allocated Rs. 18,218.91 crores for State Highways projects. Thus, we are very much interested in strengthening the road infrastructure by working in tandem with you. More such projects should be implemented in Tamil Nadu.
I would like to stress two things about the schemes we implement together. Even though union government provides more funds for such schemes in the beginning, we are witnessing a trend of the states’ share being increased over time. Also, there are many schemes that are implemented with the contribution of the beneficiaries along with union and state governments. When beneficiaries are unable to pay their share, it is the state governments which are in direct contact with the people who pay their share as well. This adds to the burden on the state finances. Therefore, I demand that the contribution ratio mentioned in the beginning of such schemes shall continue till the end and when beneficiaries are not able to pay their share, the union government must also step in along with the state government.
I would like to place a few more demands as our Hon’ble Prime Minister is here. I would like to remind that this is the right time to retrieve Katchatheevu as a solution to the problems faced by our fisherfolk and uphold their traditional rights to fish there. The GST compensation due to Tamil Nadu as on 15-05-2022 is Rs. 14,006 crores. I request that this be released immediately. At a time when many states’ revenues have not yet recovered completely, I demand that the GST compensation period be extended for at least two more years from June 2022.
Tamil Language is both ancient and modern among the classical languages of the world. It thrives with its eternal youthfulness and should be made the Official Language of the Union on par with Hindi and recognised as the court language in the High Court. Tamil Nadu has been continuously opposing NEET for admission into medical courses. We have passed a law to exempt TN from NEET and have sent the same to Union government for assent through the Hon’ble Governor. On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I request Hon’ble Prime Minister to facilitate at the earliest. I hope that the Hon’ble Prime Minister will see fairness and merit in our demands.
Honourable Prime Minister!
I have just listed out some of the important demands of Tamil Nadu. Like,
- Katchatheevu
- NEET Bill
- GST dues
- Tamil as Official Language in Union Government Offices and in Madras High Court.
Honourable Prime Minister!
Tamil Nadu is one of the most advanced states of our Indian Union. It will continue to serve as the engine for leading and moving the country’s economy forward. Therefore, I want you to extend your fullest co-operation and support Tamil Nadu. I request you to allot more projects and more funds to our state in the true spirit of co-operative federalism.
As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, I once again reiterate my leader ‘Father of Modern Tamil Nadu’ Muthamizharignar Kalaignar’s quote: “Uravukku Kai Koduppom; Urimaikku Kural Koduppom“ (We will extend a hand of friendship, at the same time, we will raise our voice for our rights).
Once again, I thank our Hon’ble Prime Minister for implementing several projects in Tamil Nadu and for the ones to be launched in the future as well. Let us all work to implement people-centric welfare schemes to achieve our goal of ‘Everything for Everyone’.
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