Tamil Nadu under heavy debt because of the DMK government: Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal criticizes DMK government for Tamil Nadu's growing debt and calls for accountability on financial mismanagement.

Tamil Nadu is reeling under heavy debt and is today one of the weakest financial States because of mismanagement of the economy.

The debts have more than doubled in the last five years. The revenue deficit is high. This is despite the funds given by the Central government through devolution of funds and grants, said Union Minister Piyush Goyal in Coimbatore on Thursday.

Mr. Goyal told the media, “I demand from Chief Minister MK Stalin to tell the people of Tamil Nadu where all the money has gone.”

Less than 9% of the total Rs. 12 lakh crore investment promised had taken off. The DMK was focused on corruption, illegal sale of liquor, misuse of government machinery, and there were land, sand, and liquor mafias in the State, he alleged.

Mr. Goyal claimed the DMK was dividing the nation.

“We should work together. They should develop the State using the Central government funds. They should work as collaborators and not competitors,” he said challenging the Chief Minister to announce Udhayanidhi Stalin would not be made the Chief Minister. “He has no answer as he has decided to make Udhayanidhi Stalin as the Chief Minister,” he added.