Release crores that belong to Tamil Nadu: Jaya tells Modi

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa asked prime minister Narendra Modi to release ‘crores of rupees’ that are due to be paid to the state from the centre when the two met on Tuesday. However, no new financial aid was sought by the chief minister from the Modi government at the South Block office meeting.

‘Contrary to reports that have been appearing in media, I have not made any special demand for a financial package for the state. Rather, I have pointed out that there are many allocations that have been made since 2010 which have not actually been delivered to Tamil Nadu,’ said Jayalalithaa.

‘When central sales tax was reduced from 4 per cent to 3 per cent and then from 3 per cent to 2 per cent, we were promised compensation which is why we agreed to it. Now although the central sales tax has been reduced we are yet to receive Rs 7,000 odd crore from the centre. Similarly, under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and several other schemes more than Rs 4,000 crore are due to be paid to Tamil Nadu. In anticipation that these grants would be forthcoming from the central government we have spent from these funds but our funds have not been reimbursed. I have stressed to the PM that these should be immediately reimbursed,’ added the chief minister.

Apart from this, Jayalalithaa said the discussion focused on inter-state river water sharing rows, including Cauvery and Mullaperiyar issues. ‘The meeting with the PM lasted for 50 minutes. I stressed on the need to expedite formation of supervisory committee for Mullaperiyar Dam as ordered by the Supreme Court. The prime minister has promised that action will be taken on the issue within a week,’ said the chief minister.

‘I also stressed on the need to form the Cauvery management board without further delay. After its formation the board has to constitute the Cauvery water regulation committee. It is only after that the final order of the Cauvery water dispute tribunal can be implemented. The PM promised to look into and do the needful expeditiously,’ Jayalalithaa added.

On the issue of power in the state, she said, ‘About 15 per cent power generated by central generating stations is still unallocated. I have made a plea that this should be allocated to Tamil Nadu.’

Jayalalithaa also presented a memorandum to Modi giving details of the issues which need to be addressed in Tamil Nadu. The other issues that received attention during the 50-minute discussion included Sri Lankan Tamils, fisheries sector, agriculture, food security, public distribution, price control, modernisation of police, health sector and industrial development sector.