Centre creating ''deliberate'' financial stress, claims TN CM
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday hit out at the BJP government for not releasing funds to even central government schemes thereby creating a stress on the state's finances.
The Union government every year keeps reducing the share of Tamil Nadu in the taxes, "deliberately and artificially" creating a financial crisis, he said at an event organised by the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations and Government Employees' Organisations (JACTO-GEO).
"Due to the changes introduced in the Goods and Service Tax (GST), the state's tax revenue continues to decline. In such a situation, we must still implement welfare schemes across all departments. Low income, high expenditure. This is our current situation." he said.
Recalling late Chief Minister C N Annadurai's comments, Stalin said, "there is a box, there is a lock (for the box). There is a key. But the box is empty (without funds)."
"They (BJP government) are deliberately and artificially creating this financial stress. We are successfully managing them not just politically, but administratively and continuing to fulfill the demands of the government employees." he said.
Former Chief Minister and late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi always ensured the welfare of government employees and teachers, Stalin said.
It is the government employees who fulfill the great responsibility of successfully taking the welfare schemes directly to the people.
Referring to the request made by the government employees regarding the Old Pension Scheme, he said, "under whose rule was your right snatched? Under the AIADMK rule."
Stalin said in order to address the demands put forth by the government employees, the government formed a panel headed by Additional Chief Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi which submitted its report. "Following this, ministers E V Velu, Thangam Thennarasu and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi held discussions with you" he said.
"Taking into account of your welfare, the financial situation of Tamil Nadu, and the responsibility to ensure that all government employees and pensioners receive their salaries and pensions without any hindrance in the future, the government announced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme," he said.
Under this scheme, the Tamil Nadu government would provide an additional Rs 13,000 crore to the Pension Fund. Furthermore, the government must provide Rs 11,000 crore annually as its contribution.
"Even in the severe financial situation currently faced by the Tamil Nadu government, I assure you that the government will bear all these expenses to protect the welfare of the government employees and teachers, " he said.
Hailing the teachers that they were not merely doing 'job' but a 'service', Stalin said, "It is because of you that our Tamil Nadu stands today as the second-best state in the country in school education. Those who were shaped by your hard work are in jobs and roles world over bring pride to us, Tamil Nadu and to the country."
The DMK government is one that protects the welfare of the teachers and professors who have created and continue to create, the future of the country -- the students, he said.
Listing out some of the government's schemes including 'Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam', 'Magalir Vidiyal Payanam', he said, "If such schemes have brought a good name to the Dravidian Model government, a major share of that credit goes to you(the government employees)."
Taking a dig at the AIADMK, Stalin said, "Will those who have formed alliances against the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu will truly be supportive of government employees?"
"Think about it. We are not like that. I say this firmly. We will surely continue to fulfill your demands and expectations even in the Dravidian Model 2.0 regime." he said.
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Kerala woman on trek at Tadiandamol hills goes missing, search operations on
Bengaluru (PTI): A 36-year-old woman, who went trekking at Tadiandamol hills in Kodagu district, has gone missing inside the forest. Additional personnel and drone cameras have been deployed to search for her, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said on Sunday.
He said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressing concern about the young woman's disappearance, instructed that search operations be intensified.
G S Sharanya had come alone from Kerala for the trek and stayed at a private homestay in Kakkabe village.
She had gone to the high mountain range of Tadiandamol hills in Kodagu with a guide and 15 other trekkers on April 2. She went missing that afternoon. As soon as the matter was known, five teams of 50 people, including police, the anti-Naxal squad, a dog squad and forest personnel were formed, and are conducting searches, the minister's office said in a statement.
According to Khandre, CM Siddaramaiah expressed concern about the disappearance of the young woman who went on a trek and instructed that additional personnel be deployed for the search.
"Four additional teams of 40 personnel have been deployed today. A total of 9 teams are conducting the search operation. Honest efforts continue to find the missing young woman," he said.
Further noting that, as per reports, the young woman last contacted the homestay by phone on Thursday, stating she had lost her way, the minister said, "Search is being conducted based on her phone location. Local tribal people have also rushed to help, and sophisticated thermal drone cameras have been obtained with an additional team deployed starting today."
