Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin, has expressed strong criticism of the recent Union Budget, arguing that it has overlooked the state’s numerous requests for funding related to highways, railways, and metro projects in cities like Coimbatore and Madurai.
Stalin pointed out that Tamil Nadu features prominently in numerous Union Government reports, such as the Economic Survey, rankings of higher education institutions, and the NITI Aayog report, where the state receives recognition for its achievements. However, he lamented that this recognition does not translate into financial support in the latest budget, asking why Tamil Nadu seems to have been omitted from funding considerations this year.
He questioned whether the Union Budget demonstrates a level of neglect towards Tamil Nadu, noting that the state’s name is rarely mentioned in connection with financial allocations. Stalin emphasized that financial support should reflect the documented interest in implementing policies and addressing issues that the people of Tamil Nadu do not necessarily support.
As the Union Government continues to diminish its financial contributions to projects, Stalin pointed out the growing fiscal responsibilities faced by the state government. He voiced concerns over the limited subsidies provided by the Union Government, highlighting perceived unfair limitations placed specifically on Tamil Nadu.
Furthermore, he criticized the apparent trend of allocating funds and resources primarily to states with elections imminent or where the BJP coalition holds power, questioning the validity of referring to it as a “united” budget.
In addition, DMK MP Kanimozhi remarked on social media that this was the first time in her parliamentary experience that she had the chance to listen to the State Budget for Bihar while in Parliament, underscoring her surprise at the focus on other states in the discussions.
