Union Budget 2025 reaction| Why ignore TN when state's achievements are praised in Economic Survey? Stalin asks Centre

In a hard-hitting statement, the Tamil Nadu CM wanted to know why the Union Government did not allot funds for infrastructure projects

Chennai: Complaining that Tamil Nadu has been “completely ignored” yet again in the Union Budget with none of the demands made by the state being met, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused the BJP-led Union Government of being “obsessed with publicity” and continuing to “cheat” the people through “rhetoric and deceptive statements.” 

In a hard-hitting statement, Stalin wanted to know why the Union Government didn’t allot funds for infrastructure projects like building metro networks in Madurai, and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, but raining schemes and projects on states where the BJP is in alliance with the ruling party and where elections are scheduled. 

Stalin suggested that he was unable to understand the Centre ignoring Tamil Nadu despite the “splendid work” of the state in several sectors being mentioned prominently in the Economic Survey, and reports released by NITI Ayog. Institutes from TN top the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), Stalin added. 

The Economic Survey presented before the Parliament on Friday praised Tamil Nadu’s model of promoting non-leather footwear and Illam Thedi Kalvi scheme.

“Reams of papers are spent on printing the achievements of Tamil Nadu in documents released by the Union Government. But why is Tamil Nadu completely ignored this year in the Budget speech? Why are they not giving anything to the state? What is stopping them?” Stalin asked. 

The Chief Minister said the Union Government should have displayed a “fraction of interest” it shows in “imposing a language (Hindi) and policies” that the state opposes in allotting funds.  

“Why is it still called the Union Budget if projects and funds will be given only to states where the BJP is in a coalition government and where elections are scheduled (to be held soon),” Stalin asked, with the Bihar elections weighing heavily on his mind.

He also accused the Union Government of reducing its share in schemes, thereby increasing the financial burden of the state governments. “The Union Government, which is obsessed with publicity, does not release the project funds that are due to us if we don’t print its seal, even if the project is implemented properly,” he added. 

Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the significant increase in Income Tax exemption was a “welcome step” along with changes announced in basic customs duties to encourage domestic production. 

However, Palaniswami alleged that Bihar has been given prominence since assembly elections in the state are scheduled later this year, while states like Tamil Nadu haven’t got any special schemes. 

“There are no announcements about interlinking of rivers that would help increase agricultural productivity and utilize water. There are no plans to create employment opportunities for the youth and give them a new impetus with skill development training,” he said, adding that the Budget document was “full of wordplay” without any concrete announcements.

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Union Budget 2025 | Nirmala Sitharaman, as Finance Minister, presented her record 8th Union Budget this time. While inflation has burnt a hole in the pockets of 'aam janata', the Modi govt gave income tax relief for those making up to Rs 12 lakh per year in salaried income. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analysis only on Deccan Herald. Also follow us on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.