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Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu on Friday asked the central government to release Rs 6,675 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to meet temporary and permanent relief and rehabilitation needs after Cyclone Fengal.
Tamil Nadu has been facing recurring challenges from natural disasters including cyclones, torrential rains, and unprecedented floods, the latest being Cyclone Fengal, which affected 14 districts and took a toll on the lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure of the state. The damage has been done, the minister said in an interview. – Budget meeting organized by the central government in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
“The intensity and frequency of these weather systems has increased significantly, with some areas receiving an entire year’s worth of rain within 24 hours. Despite the state’s best efforts in planning and preparation, these seasonal anomalies cause huge economic stress by draining the state’s exchequer. Funds under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) have proved insufficient to meet immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation needs,” he said.
Thanking the central government for sanctioning the long-delayed Chennai Metro Rail Phase-II project, he requested an allocation of Rs 10,000 crore this year and Rs 16,000 crore next year for the metro rail project, while seeking approval for similar projects. in Madurai and Coimbatore.
“We urge the central government not to impose restrictive or external conditions while releasing funds for various schemes. Instead, it should collaborate with state governments and facilitate the implementation of schemes…,” Mr. Thennarassu said.
An amount of ₹ 2,152 crore approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) for the annual work plan and budget of the Samajra Shiksha Abhiyan – has not been released, he pointed out.
These funds are critical for school functioning, including teacher salaries and implementation of the RTE Act. In their absence, the state has been forced to bear the entire cost, seriously straining its finances, Mr. Tennarsu said.
The future of 44 lakh students, 2.2 lakh teachers and 21,276 staff depended on this timely intervention, he added.
Mr. Tennarsu said that there is a need for a new railway in the industrial area to speed up the industrial development of the province and demanded approval of the railway project in the upcoming budget.
Some of the projects mentioned by him include fourth line between Tambaram and Chengalpattu, Tirupattur-Krishnagiri-Hosur new line, semi-high speed railway corridor connecting Chennai-Salem-Coimbatore with Salem-Hosur-Bangalore and Coimbatore-Ernakulam extensions. Road projects.
published – December 21, 2024 at 12:45 pm IST