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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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
