Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, who attended the NITI Aayog meeting in Delhi for the first time since the DMK came to power in 2021, has pitched strongly for enhancing the State’s share in Central taxes to 50 percent, besides requesting the release of Rs. 2,200 crore for the State’s education programme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog today at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. It was attended by Chief Ministers/Lt. Governors representing 20 States and 6 UTs. PM Modi emphasised cooperation and the collective effort of all States and the Centre to work together in order to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
He observed that India has achieved steady growth in the past ten years. The Indian economy, which was ranked the 10th largest economy in the world in 2014, has risen to become the 5th largest economy by 2024. He added that now the collective aim of the government and all citizens is to become the third largest economy in the world.
In the meeting, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin made a strong pitch for the enhancement of the State’s share in Central tax revenue and the release of the arrears of Rs. 2,200 crore for the State’s education programme. Taking to his social media handle on X, he posted a message saying: “At the #NITIAayog meeting, I demanded a rightful 50 percent share for States in central taxes. We currently receive only 33.16 percent against the promised 41. On the lines of #AMRUT 2.0, I stressed the need for a dedicated urban transformation mission, as Tamil Nadu is.”
💷 At the #NITIAayog meeting, I demanded a rightful 50 percent share for States in central taxes. We currently receive only 33.16 percent against the promised 41.
🌆 On the lines of #AMRUT 2.0, I stressed the need for a dedicated urban transformation mission, as Tamil Nadu is… pic.twitter.com/Tbj0DSjic2
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 24, 2025
Stalin has urged the Union government to disburse Rs. 2,200 crore funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) due for Tamil Nadu. The non-release of this huge sum was due to not signing an MoU with the Union education ministry on the implementation of the ‘PM Shri’ scheme. While addressing the meeting, Stalin said, “Particularly, nearly 2,200 cr of the Union funds have been denied to Tamil Nadu in the year 2024-25. This affects the education of children studying in government schools and children studying under the Right to Education Act (RTE). Therefore, I urge to release this fund without delay and without insisting on unilateral conditions.”
The TN CM said, “The moto of our Dravidian Model government is ‘everything for everyone’. TN is progressing towards achieving its goal of a USD 1 Trillion economy by 2030. Tamil Nadu has become industrialised throughout. From automobiles to green hydrogen, we have seen strong growth in all emerging sectors.”
Stalin listed out the several welfare measures being undertaken by his government since it came to power in 2021. “We currently receive only 33.16% against the promised 41%. On the lines of Amrut 2.0, I stressed the need for a dedicated urban transformation mission, as Tamil Nadu is the most urbanised state in India. Also I urge Clean Ganga style project for Cauvery, Vaigai and Thamirabarani with names in English for national coherence and regional pride.”
In another post on X, Stalin said, “During the NITIAayog meeting, met our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submitted a memorandum detailing key priorities for Tamil Nadu’s development and social justice:”
During the #NITIAayog meeting, met our Hon’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi and submitted a memorandum detailing key priorities for Tamil Nadu’s development and social justice:
🚇 Approval for Coimbatore & Madurai #Metro
🚉 Transfer of Chennai #MRTS to @cmrlofficial
🛣️ Upgrade… pic.twitter.com/lvg7ECmJdg— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 24, 2025
Three southern Chief Ministers, including from NDA-ruled Puducherry, skipped today’s meeting. While the Chief Minister of Congress-ruled Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, was busy with a “prior engagement” in the State and sent his speech to be read out in the council, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan deputed his cabinet colleague K. N. Balagopal on his behalf.
Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu used the platform to propose structural reforms aimed at fast-tracking India’s transformation. He suggested the creation of three sub-groups of States to collaborate with the Union government and NITI Aayog on key priorities.
Talking to the media in Pudukottai on 24th May, on the CM’s visit to the NITI Aayog meet, the Deputy CM earlier said, “The DMK, nurtured by Kalaignar (his grandfather and former chief minister M. Karunanidhi), is a party with self-respect firmly moored to the principles of Periyar (E. V. Ramasamy Naicker).”
On his arrival from Chennai, Stalin, after attending some programmes, met Congress leaders. In a post, he said, “There’s a special warmth in every meeting with Madam Tmt. Sonia Gandhi and dear brother @RahulGandhi at their Delhi residence. It never feels like a visit; it truly feels like being with family.”
There’s a special warmth in every meeting with Madam Tmt. Sonia Gandhi and dear brother @RahulGandhi at their Delhi residence. It never feels like a visit; it truly feels like being with family.@INCIndia pic.twitter.com/ezjes3iyhm
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 23, 2025
The TN CM did not divulge what transpired during their meeting.
