CM refutes Opposition charges, spells out details of Prime Minister meeting

Despite the Finance Minister’s clarification in the Assembly and in various fora, the Opposition leader kept on harping on the ‘unbearable debt burden’ of the state, stated the Chief Minister.

Adding that the state was one of the five states with a low debt burden, he refuted Stalin’s charges of  not highlighting any important scheme of the state. Palanisamy further said, “PM Modi has a high regard and respect for Tamil Nadu and its people as was seen at the Niti Ayog meeting. Modi even wondered why other states should not have an agreement with Tamil Nadu for their children to learn at least 5 Tamil songs, 100 Tamil sentences, understand its script and conduct Tamil film festivals and sports competitions between children of other states.” 

Listing out the achievements of Jayalalithaa’s rule, the Chief Minister said that Vision 2023 document was brought out by her and not the DMK. Under the vision nearly 217 infrastructure projects estimated at Rs 15 lakh crore would be ready in various departments. Already 85 projects have been started and tenders for 17 schemes were called for and the detailed project reports have been sought for another 26 projects. Nearly, 89 projects were under various stages of considerations, the Chief Minister added.

Commenting on the farmers’ issues, Palanisamy said, “I have informed the PM at the Niti Ayog meet about the farmers demands for loan waiver and he had also assured us that the hydrocarbon scheme would not be permitted without the state’s approval.” The Chief Minister said, “Stalin, without knowing what was happening in the administration is making it a political issue.” 

On the linking of rivers, the Chief Minister said Rs 250 crore has been sanctioned this year for linking Tamirabarani and Nambiyar. “I highlighted this in the Niti Ayog meeting. The PM was also apprised of its importance when he visited Coimbatore for the Avinashi-Athikadavu scheme,” he added.

The Chief Minister further said that he highlighted the need to remove the state from the ambit of NEET and to provide additional funds for the state. He stated that he raised the issues of drought, Cauvery Management Board and fishermen’s problems in the meeting with the Prime Minister. The state has been given DAS access for the Arasu Cable TV too, he added.