BJP MLA Vanathi alleges lack of long-term strategies in T.N Budget; Minister Thennarasu blames Centre for not releasing funds

BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan addresses the media after walking out of Assembly on the first day of the Budget session at Fort St. George, in Chennai. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Minister for Finance Thangam Thennarasu told the Assembly on Wednesday (March 19, 2025) that the devolution share to Tamil Nadu has been consistently declining, from 7.93% recommended by the IX Finance Commission to 4.07% recommended by the XV Finance Commission, and stated that the pending dues from the Centre to the State amount to ₹2.63 lakh crore, which accounts for 32% of the State’s outstanding borrowing.

The Minister was responding to BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, during the general discussion of Finance and Agriculture Budget 2025-26. Ms. Srinivasan alleged that the State’s Budget lacked long-term strategies and demanded that the government reduce the registration fee for all immovable assets by 5% when registered in the name of women, and present a separate budget for women. She also raised the issue of crops being damaged by wild boars and peafowls in the hilly areas of the State and demanded that the government put measures in place to curb this.

In his response, Mr. Thennarasu said the Centre had withheld funds due to the State under Samagra Shiksha and wages for workers under the MGNREGS. Further, he also said the Centre’s allocation under cesses and surcharges and National Highways and Railway projects to Tamil Nadu were lesser when compared to several other States.

He also said the State government had taken measures for the regulated culling of wild boars adjacent to reserve forest areas. Since the animal is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, killing of wild boar is prohibited, he added.