Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Thursday held the Union Government responsible for the State’s strained financial situation, citing it as the reason for the inability to disburse ₹1,000 along with the Pongal gift hamper for ration card holders this year.Responding to a demand raised by CPI legislator K. Marimuthu during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s speech, the Finance Minister squarely blamed the BJP-led Union Government for withholding the State’s rightful share of funds. He alleged that the “step-motherly treatment” of the Centre has left Tamil Nadu grappling with severe financial constraints, affecting its ability to provide the cash dole traditionally given during the harvest festival.
Centre Withholds Crucial Funds
Elaborating on the State’s financial woes, Thennarasu pointed out that Tamil Nadu’s aid request of ₹37,818 crore for flood and cyclone relief efforts was met with a paltry ₹276 crore from the Centre. Even this amount, he noted, came from the State Disaster Relief Fund rather than additional assistance from the Union Government.
Further, he highlighted the Centre’s failure to release funds under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme, amounting to ₹2,151.59 crore. The absence of these critical allocations, the Minister stated, has hampered the State’s ability to meet its obligations and implement welfare measures.
Strained State Finances
To address the immediate needs following floods and cyclones, the State government was forced to utilize its own resources, spending ₹2,028 crore on relief efforts. This additional burden strained Tamil Nadu’s finances further, making it impossible to provide the cash assistance along with the Pongal gift hampers this year, Thennarasu explained.
Opposition Criticism
The Minister’s statement came in response to CPI legislator K. Marimuthu’s demand for the State government to ensure financial aid for ration card holders during Pongal. The legislator emphasized the importance of the cash dole in helping families celebrate the harvest festival amidst rising costs.
Political Angle
Thennarasu’s remarks add to the ongoing tensions between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the BJP-ruled Centre. The State government has repeatedly accused the Union Government of discriminating against Tamil Nadu in fund allocation, while the BJP counters by attributing the State’s financial issues to its own administrative inefficiencies.
As the debate intensifies, the absence of the Pongal cash dole is likely to spark further political and public scrutiny, particularly in light of the festival’s cultural and economic significance to Tamil Nadu’s people.