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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
