Chennai: Tamil Nadu Ministers on Wednesday called on Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and sought her intervention to get the Centre to release Rs 3,776.20 crore pending as grants under the 14th Central Finance Commission ‘to carry out day to day affairs and provide basic amenities to citizens.’
Electricity minister P. Thangamani and Municipal administration minister S.P Velumani presented a letter to the Defence Minister at New Delhi. According to the letter signed by Velumani, a copy of which was released to the media, the Centre had already released Rs 1,390.04 crore as second installment of basic grant of the 14th Central Finance Commission for 2017-18 for urban and rural local bodies of Tamil Nadu.
“The release of this grant by Government of India, based on your support and intervention, has paved the way for providing quality services to the people and helped the local bodies in discharging their basic duties,” Velumani said.
He also brought to her notice that under the 14th Central Finance Commission, Rs 560.15 crore was due to Tamil Nadu towards performance grant for the 2017-18 and Rs 3,216.05 crore was outstanding towards basic grant for 2018-19.
Noting that the local bodies in the State were in dire need of funds to carry out day to day affairs, he requested Nirmala Sitharaman’s intervention in the matter.
“The Government of Tamil Nadu will always give priorities and support all endeavours of Government of India towards building a strong, modern and vibrant India. I once again thank you for always supporting the cause of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
