News Brief
'Infra Boost, Promotion Of Culture, Increased Share In Taxes': Amit Shah Responds To CM Stalin's 'What Has BJP Done For Tamil Nadu?' Question
Amit Shah versus Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin
Responding to Chief Minister MK Stalin who asked him to list out the work of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Tamil Nadu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his rally in Vellore on Sunday (11 June) said, "Stalin ji, I have come here to present our 9-year record. Please open your ears and listen and if you are brave enough give your response tomorrow."
He then went on to state how the amount of tax devolution provided to the state had increased during the current government, the efforts to celebrate Tamil culture like the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, the translation of Thirukkural into many languages (the most recent being Tok Pisin of Papua New Guinea), road projects and other central schemes.
Tax Devolution And Grants
Comparing the amount of tax devolution and grants in aid granted to the state, he said that between 2004-14, during the time of the Congress government, of which the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK) was an alliance partner, the state received Rs 95000 crore while the figure for the last 9 years during the BJP government is Rs 2,47,000 crore.
The amount of grants-in-aid has also increased from Rs 58000 crore during the Congress regime to Rs 2,31,000 crore under the Modi government.
National Highways, Chennai-Bangalore Expressway, Chennai Metro And The Defence Corridor
Highlighting the road and railway projects being undertaken in the state, Shah said that while 2352 kilometre length national highway projects have been completed, works are underway on 3719 kilometres.
Speaking of specific projects, he said that while the Chennai-Bangalore Expressway work is underway at a cost of Rs 50,000 crore, the 150 kilometre long East Coast Road (ECR) expansion work is being undertaken at a cost of Rs 3000 crore.
Regarding the Chennai Metro, he said that a total of Rs 72000 crore was sanctioned for Phase 1 and Phase 2.
He then said that out of the two defence corridors in the country, one would be in Tamil Nadu which has the potential to bring in massive investments.
Vande Bharat Trains, Railway Stations Being Redeveloped
After speaking about the road projects, he mentioned the introduction of Vande Bharat trains connecting Chennai with Bangalore and Coimbatore and the redevelopment works being undertaken at the Chennai Egmore, Madurai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari and Katpadi (Vellore) railway stations.
Shah said that no other Prime Minister had taken so much effort to celebrate and promote Tamil culture as Narendra Modi. He added that Modi has made it a point to speak about the greatness of the Tamil language all over the world.
He cited the recently installed Sengol, whose tradition goes back to the Cholas, a new building for the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, celebrating Tamil culture in northern and western India through the Kashi and Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam.
Further, he spoke of how exams like NEET and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) could now be taken in Tamil.
Central Government Schemes Like PM KISAN And Jal Jeevan Mission Have Benefitted Numerous People
Speaking of central government schemes that are being implemented all over the country, Shah presented data regarding the number of beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu.
He said that 56 lakh farmers from the state are receiving Rs 6000 per year under PM KISAN, 84 lakh have received water connections under Jal Jeevan Mission, 62 lakh toilets were constructed under the Swacch Bharat mission, 2.5 crore people received free treatment under Ayushman Bharat and 1 crore are receiving 5 kilograms of food grains free of cost through ration shops.
Madurai AIIMS Issue And Other Medical Colleges
Regarding questions about the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Madurai, he said, "The DMK has asked why the Madurai AIIMS has not been built yet.
"AIMMS Madurai students have started studying in temporary buildings, construction will be completed in phases. But DMK has to answer why it could not bring an AIIMS to the state while they were in power at the Centre.
He then said that the Centre had granted Rs 1500 crore for the ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Coimbatore and over 1400 students are studying in 11 medical colleges opened in 11 districts of the state.
