Route Central aid via state: Jayalalithaa
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Claiming that her government’s prudent fiscal management had reversed the dismal outlook and transformed TN into a revenue surplus state in 2011-12 fiscal, chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday took a dig at the Centre on various fronts including flow of Central funds into the fields of secondary and higher education.
Addressing the planning commission during the finalization of annual plan for TN for 2012-13 fiscal, Ms Jayalalithaa said the fiscal deficit as a percentage of GSDP has been contained at 2.85 per cent and the latest estimates of Central Statistical Organization (CSO) placed the state’s economic growth for 2011-12 at 9.39 per cent, much above the national average of 6.5 per cent.
Stating that Centrally sponsored schemes are designed without reference to the specific ground realities and the needs of the state population, the CM urged the commission to route all central assistance though the state.
She also expressed disappointment over the lack of response from the Centre after denial of funds to the state even under accelerated irrigation benefit programme for linking of Cauvery Gundar and Thamiraparani with Karumeniar at the cost of Rs 5619.44 and Rs 453.44 crore respectively.
Referring to the Centre not releasing funds in 2011-12 , Ms Jayalalithaa urged the commission to persuade Centre to “abandon the step-motherly attitude and secure assistance of Rs 9,090 crores under AIBF for the project for which proposals have already been submitted to the Centre.”
Pointing out that special efforts of her government in agriculture sector had resulted in extension of area under food grains by 24 per cent and rise in production by as much as 40 per cent.
The ambitious goal of the 12th Five Year Plan could be achieved only when good performers (read present TN) were adequately rewarded through more funds from the Centre and flexibility in the implementation of various programmes.
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