CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday urged the centre to withdraw the recently passed VB-G RAM G Act and restore the UPA-era rural employment scheme, MGNREGA, thereby easing the state’s financial burden, via the speech it prepared that was taken on record by the state Assembly as the customary governor’s address. However, Governor R N Ravi refused to deliver the same and walked out instead.
The prepared speech outlined a range of initiatives undertaken by the state government in sectors including sports development, drinking water supply, water resource management, environmental conservation and urban transport, while also drawing attention to delays in approvals and release of funds by the union government for several key schemes.
It also highlighted that the state continues to implement multiple schemes to ensure access to safe drinking water. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which is jointly funded by the union and state governments, functional household tap connections have been provided to 1.12 crore rural households in Tamil Nadu, ensuring a supply of 55 litres per person per day.
At the same time, the address pointed out that funds amounting to Rs 3,112 crore required for the continuation of the scheme have not been released by the centre over the past one-and-a-half years, and that approvals for new projects are pending.
He mentioned that during recent natural disasters, including cyclones Michaung and Fengal, the relief assistance released by the centre did not fully match the state’s requests. He further noted that Rs 3,548 crore approved under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan scheme is yet to be released, resulting in the state government meeting the expenditure using its own resources. It further highlighted concerns regarding the impact of cesses and surcharges on states’ tax revenues.
On urban transport, the address said the state has advanced funds for the Chennai Metro Rail Project’s Phase II to ensure uninterrupted progress, and expressed hope that the timely release of the union government’s share would enable early completion. It also noted the rejection of metro rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai, terming it discriminatory.