Centre discriminates TN in funds allocation, says O. Panneerselvam

February 17, 2014 06:14 pm | Updated May 18, 2016 08:54 am IST - Chennai

A file picture of Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam. Photo: S.R. Raghunathan.

A file picture of Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam. Photo: S.R. Raghunathan.

Days after tabling the 2014-15 budget, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday claimed that the Centre has not been allocating funds to it and was instead giving funds to some other states for “political gains”.

The government’s claim came during a discussion on the budget in the assembly when Congress legislator Vijayadharani claimed that Bihar has clocked good rate of growth, while a developed state like Tamil Nadu lagged behind.

Finance Minister O Panneerselvam intervened to say that the Centre had been “betraying” Tamil Nadu in allocation of funds. “It has not been giving the funds for us annually. Because of the wrong economic policies of the Centre, the economy of the entire country is not doing well.”

He said the Congress-led government had given Rs 1,000 crore to Bihar solely keeping its political aspirations in mind. “Only a few states get the assistance because of Congress’ political aspirations in those states.”

On the other hand, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has ensured social security welfare schemes worth over Rs 49,000 crore in the latest budget, he said.

“Even after the Union Finance Minister failed to allocate enough funds for Tamil Nadu, our Chief Minister gave necessary allocations to all departments in the budget,” he said.

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