Tamil Nadu has been neglected: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva slams Union Budget

New Delhi [India], July 29 (ANI): DMK MP Tiruchi Siva raised concern on Monday over the negligence of Tamil Nadu in the Union Budget and said that the state of Tamil Nadu is in anguish.

Criticising the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Siva told ANI, “The Budget session has started. FM presented the Budget to the Parliament… As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, we are in anguish that we have been totally neglected.”

Sitharaman presented her seventh straight Budget on July 23 for the fiscal 2024-25, surpassing the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. This was the first Budget by the BJP-led NDA government since it was re-elected in June.

DMK, including Congress, alleged discrimination against Opposition-ruled states in the Union Budget presented by Sitharaman. Sitharaman made major announcements for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, including a boost in infrastructure and special financial support.

Elaborating further, Siva said, “In the Budget, it has been announced that some compensation may be given to some states that may be affected by floods – like Bihar and Jharkhand. Whereas, Tamil Nadu has already been affected by flood and cyclones, and we had requested a relief of Rs 37,000 crore. But so far, only Rs 276 crores has been given.”

The DMK MP further said that the state government spent money on the Metro Rail Project in Chennai but the Union government did not even spend a single penny. “For the second Metro Rail Project in Chennai, for which the State Government has spent nearly Rs 63,000 crores, the Union Government has not given even one paisa. Why is a state, that is opposing the present ruling party is victimised?”

Siva asserted that they want the Central government to acknowledge their demands and issues. “We want the House to run very smoothly…We expect the government to respond to our demands and issues but their attitude remains the same as it was during the earlier government,” he said.

According to the Finance Ministry, the budget outlined a robust plan focusing on jobs, MSME, the agriculture sector, startups, and economic growth amid global uncertainties. It added that India’s inflation remains low and stable, progressing towards the 4 per cent target, with core inflation (excluding food and fuel) at 3.1 per cent. Measures are being taken to ensure an adequate market supply of perishable goods.

The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12.