Rameswaram: In a veiled reference to ruling DMK’s oft-repeated charge that the BJP-led Government at the Centre has neglected Tamil Nadu and has not allocated enough funds, Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Centre has provided increased allocation for the State over the last 10 years but still some people are ‘crying’ for more funds.
Underlining Tamil Nadu’s critical role in India’s economic development, Mr Modi said the central government has tripled its financial allocation to various infra developmental projects to the state over the past decade and railway funding has increased seven-fold in the last ten years.
“Despite increased allocation for TN some ‘cry’ over funds”, he said, without naming the DMK.
“They can only cry”, he added. Speaking after inaugurating the new iconic Pamban Rail Bridge and launching
new road and rail projects to the tune of Rs 8,300 crore, Mr Modi said the Centre was concerned about infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu and pointed out that more funds have been allotted to Tamil Nadu during the last ten years by the BJP-led government when compared to the allocation made by the previous governments.
“Tamil Nadu plays a significant role in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation”, the Prime Minister said, adding, as Tamil Nadu’s potential grows, India’s growth will accelerate further.
Reiterating that over the past decade, the central government has allocated three times more funds for Tamil Nadu’s development compared to the period before 2014, he said this increased funding has greatly contributed to Tamil Nadu’s economic and industrial growth.
Underlining that infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu is a priority for the Union Government, Mr Modi said over the past decade, Tamil Nadu’s railway budget has increased more than seven-fold.
Before 2014, rail projects in Tamil Nadu received only Rs 900 crore annually, while this year, the railway budget for Tamil Nadu exceeded Rs 6,000 crore.
He also listed out various schemes under which the State has benefitted and pointed out the significant progress made in the development of rural roads and highways over the last ten years.
UNI
