T.N. Governor’s ‘address’, read out by Speaker, critical of Centre on GST, CMRL funds; vows to not allow implementation of CAA

Tamil Nadu government's speech criticizes Centre on GST, funds for Chennai Metro, opposes CAA, highlights achievements and seeks funds for cyclone restoration.

The speech prepared by the Tamil Nadu government for Governor R.N. Ravi for his inaugural address in the Legislative Assembly for 2024, which he refused to read, was in parts critical of the Centre with regard to the GST regime and on the non-release of funds for Chennai Metro Rail project. Besides, the government vowed to never allow the implementation the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the State citing the “grave threat” the ideal of unity in diversity faced. It also highlighted the need for funds to tackle the devastation caused by the December cyclone and floods in Chennai, Thoothukudi and other regions.

Click here to read/download the intended speech of Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi

A majority of the 48-page speech, subsequently read out in Tamil by Speaker M. Appavu, focussed on the achievements of Tamil Nadu under the present government and over the past many decades in various spheres. This included the State’s real economic growth of 8.19 % in 2022-23, which was higher than the nation’s growth, the State’s high rank in NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index, investments attracted through the Global Investors Meet, conduct of the Khelo India Youth Games, and various welfare measures like Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT), and the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, which have made the State “a model for the entire country”.

While appreciating the preparedness of the State government and the relief efforts taken after Cyclone Michaung and the torrential downpour in southern districts in December last year, the speech also highlighted that an investment of approximately ₹ 18,214 crore in the southern districts and ₹ 19,692 crore in Chennai and surrounding areas was required to undertake temporary and permanent restoration work. Highlighting the memoranda presented to the Union government, the speech expressed hope that funds from the National Disaster Response Fund would be released.

The speech said that the State governments relinquished their fiscal autonomy and agreed to the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) based on the legiti0mate expectation that they would receive adequate compensation until the new system could generate revenues equivalent to the pre-GST era. However, the termination of the GST compensation regime by the Union government by June 2022 meant that the State was facing a revenue shortfall of ₹20,000 crore per year. “We urge the Union Government to continue the compensation regime further,” the speech read.

The address expressed disappointment that the Union government had reneged on its promise to provide its share as per a 50:50 equity arrangement for phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project by delaying approval for more than two years, while according sanction for similar projects in other States during the same time. “We urge the Union Government to approve the project as originally envisaged,” it said.

Citing the line Yaadhum oore yaavarum kelir from the poem by Kaniyan Poongundranar, the speech said Tamils have embraced universal brotherhood since the Sangam era and this continued to serve as a guiding light for this government.