3 weeks ago
DMK, TVK Fight Over Corruption, Welfare Schemes in Assembly
In the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, two political groups had a big argument in the state assembly.
One group, called the DMK, used to lead the state.
The other group, called the TVK, leads the state now.
The DMK said the TVK government is not being fair and honest with money.
Its members said that people had to pay extra money, about three per cent, to get bills cleared in one government department.
The TVK leaders said that is not true and that such things happened only when the DMK was in power.
The two groups also argued about help schemes for people, such as free electricity, money for women, and insurance for accident victims.
The TVK said these schemes will keep running.
The DMK asked the government to keep the state's growth at 11 per cent, and the assembly asked the central government to share tax money more fairly.
Both groups finished the day still disagreeing.
DMK and ruling TVK members clashed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly over corruption allegations, fiscal management, and welfare schemes during the State Budget discussion.
DMK MLA Raghupathi alleged 'leakages' in government tenders and claimed a three per cent payment was needed to clear bills in the Water Resources Department.
TVK ministers denied the allegations, saying such practices belonged to the previous regime and that no current minister had taken a bribe.
The debate covered welfare schemes including 200 units of free electricity, women's entitlement, the Thaimaman Seer scheme, and the Nammai Kaappom 48 accident insurance scheme.
The Assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre for equitable devolution of taxes, invoking the principle of fiscal federalism.
- Who
- DMK opposition lawmakers, led by MLA Raghupathi and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, and members of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), including ministers and Speaker JCD Prabakaran.
- What
- A heated Assembly debate over corruption allegations, state debt, and the implementation of welfare schemes during the State Budget discussion.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chennai.
- When
- During the Tamil Nadu Assembly's Budget session, with the resolution on tax devolution passed on a Friday after the maiden Budget was presented the preceding Wednesday.
- Why
- The DMK sought to question the TVK government's financial management and welfare delivery, while the TVK defended its record and blamed the previous DMK regime's debt.
DMK (Opposition)
TVK (Government)
Corruption in government departments
DMK (Opposition)
DMK alleged 'leakages' in government tenders and said a three per cent payment was required to get bills cleared in the Water Resources Department.
TVK (Government)
TVK ministers denied the claims, saying paying a percentage to clear bills was a practice of the previous regime and that no current minister has taken a bribe.
State debt and borrowing
DMK (Opposition)
DMK said the government borrows only for development with Reserve Bank of India approval and asked the TVK to maintain the state's 11 per cent GDP growth.
TVK (Government)
Finance Minister Wilson blamed MK Stalin for the Rs 1.28 lakh debt on the head of every citizen.
Welfare scheme implementation
DMK (Opposition)
DMK said three lakh people submitted applications for 200 units of free electricity and that many women have not received their entitlement amount.
TVK (Government)
TVK said schemes such as Nammai Kaappom 48 will continue to be implemented.
Key facts
- Location
- Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chennai
- Ruling Party
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)
- Opposition Party
- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
- Finance Minister
- Dr N Marie Wilson
- Speaker
- JCD Prabakaran
- Debt cited by Finance Minister
- Rs 1.28 lakh per citizen
- Nammai Kaappom 48 insurance cover
- Up to Rs 2 lakh
- GDP growth cited by DMK
- 11 per cent
Quotes
Udhayanidhi Stalin (DMK Leader of Opposition)
DMK Leader of Opposition
“"DMK was the first party to raise the issue of delimitation. We brought five Chief Ministers from across India to Chennai and held discussions on the issue. The DMK president will consider the matter and make an announcement. At present, we are discussing the Agriculture Budget."”
deccanchronicle.com
“"Our Finance Minister presented the Budget with a prayer bead in his hand. Agriculture Minister came here with Tirupati laddus and puliyodarai and presented the Agriculture Budget."”
deccanchronicle.com
Dr N Marie Wilson (Finance Minister)
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister
“"I have reviewed the accounts of three departments and submitted a detailed report to the Chief Minister regarding the irregularities or leakages identified in them. You will receive a response regarding these leakages soon."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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