CHENNAI, JAN 6
As the protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act by various outfits continues in different parts of the state, Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Monday asserted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the government was committed to protecting the interests of all citizens irrespective of their religion.
When the Governor started addressing the House, the main opposition DMK and its allies, including the Congress, staged a walkout and boycotted his Address amid slogans against the CAA.
In his customary Address to the House, the Governor said the government was “firmly treading” the path laid by late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the focus was on the socio-economic growth of state.
Without any direct reference to the CAA or protests against it, Purohit said the government “will ensure that the interests of all citizens regardless of religion or creed are protected.”
In the same breath, he said Tamil Nadu will urge the Centre to provide dual citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
The principal opposition party had also demanded a resolution against the CAA in the Assembly.
State is eagerly awaiting the 15th Finance Commission recommendations
Purohit, on devolution of funds from the Centre said, “there has been a diminution in the overall flow of Central funds to Tamil Nadu,” adding Tamil Nadu faced a very severe adverse impact due to the horizontal distribution formula of the 14th Finance Commission.
The state eagerly awaited the 15th Finance Commission recommendations and the government is hopeful of a “fair and equitable distribution of resources, which rewards efficiency and performance.”
This year, Tamil Nadu has so far received Rs 7,096 crore as GST compensation and Central grants of Rs 17,957.31 crore.
“However, there are a few outstanding issues in the release of dues to Tamil Nadu which are being followed up closely.”
Urges the centre to reject DPR of Mekedatu project
On river water issues, the Governor urged the Centre to ensure that the Detailed Project Report for the Mekedatu project by Karnataka was rejected.
He wanted the Union government to restrain Karnataka from taking up any construction activity in the Cauvery basin.
Karnataka was also planning a reservoir across the Markandeya River in the Pennaiyar basin, Purohit said and reiterated the government’s opposition to it.
Tamil Nadu also went to the Supreme Court on this matter and based on an interim order, the State had requested the Centre to constitute a tribunal on the Pennaiyar dispute.
A tribunal should be set up at the earliest, he urged and wanted a direction to Karnataka to not take up any work in the Pennaiyar basin without Tamil Nadu’s consent.
“Tamil Nadu is a water deficit State and inter basin transfer of river water is essential to meet its needs,” he said and urged the Centre to divert at least 200 tmc ft of water from Godavari to Cauvery basin in the initial stage.
Purohit also urged Kerala and the Centre to accord requisite clearances for strengthening the Mullaperiyar dam.
He thanked the Andhra Pradesh government for release of water from Kandaleru reservoir for meeting Chennai’s drinking water needs.
Referring to the fishermen issues, he said the number of fishermen and boats apprehended by the Lankan Navy in the Palk bay has come down during during 2018 and 2019.
As of now, 17 fishermen continued to be in Sri Lankan custody and the Centre “should intervene and have this issue amicably resolved at the earliest.”
As soon as Governor Purohit began his customary address, Stalin was on his feet trying to raise some issues.
The Governor appealed to the DMK president to resume his seat.
“You are the best orator. Please use your skills for debate. Let this House be used for debate,” he told Stalin.
However, the DMK members demanded that the Leader of the Opposition be allowed to raise his point.
As the Governor repeated his appeal, Stalin walked out of the House followed by his party MLAs.
After the walkout of the opposition members, Purohit continued his address in the Assembly.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit delivering his Address to the Tamilnadu Assembly on the first day of the year’s first session, on Monday. Speaker P Dhanapal and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami are seen. – NE photo
