In a recent session of the Rajya Sabha, the issue of heavy rain and floods in southern Tamil Nadu districts took center stage during a debate on two Appropriation Bills. The blame game between the Centre and the State government unfolded, shedding light on the challenges faced by the affected people and the broader issue of disaster management.
AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai, in a brief intervention, highlighted the plight of Tamil Nadu due to heavy rainfall and floods. He earnestly requested the Centre to allocate funds to assist the affected population. However, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal shifted the focus to what he termed the “abject failure” of the DMK government in effectively managing the crisis. Goyal criticized the State government for its alleged failure in providing timely relief, succor, and rehabilitation to those affected by the natural disaster.
The heated exchange concluded with the Rajya Sabha returning the Appropriation Bills to the Lok Sabha after a brief discussion, marked by opposition uproar demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the breach of Parliament security.
The Lok Sabha had previously passed the Bills, approving additional spending of ā¹58,378 crore in the current financial year. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, in response to the debate, outlined the gross additional spending of ā¹1.29 lakh crore. He clarified that ā¹70,968 crore would be offset by savings and receipts.
Breaking down the additional expenditure, Chaudhary specified allocations, including ā¹13,351 crore for fertilizer subsidies and around ā¹7,000 crore for food subsidies. The energy sector and rural schemes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), featured prominently in the disbursements. Notably, ā¹9,200 crore was earmarked for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, ā¹14,524 crore for the Rural Development Ministry (MGNREGS), and ā¹20,000 crore for the Ministry of External Affairs.
The debate witnessed active participation from members representing various political parties, including the BJP, AIADMK, BJD, YSRCP, and TDP, reflecting the widespread concern and diverse perspectives on the issue.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of natural disasters, the incident in Tamil Nadu underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the Centre and the States in disaster management.