'Stalin indulging in vendetta for political gains': TN Dy CM Panneerselvam

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday lashed out at DMK chief M K Stalin for attempting to fault AIADMK government on issue of obtaining central funds and said Leader of Opposition was indulging in "vendetta" for political gains.

"At a time when Amma government is focussed on fighting dreaded Coronavirus and involving in measures aimed at saving lives, Stalin is indulging in vendetta seeking political gains," Panneerselvam said and claimed that DMK leader was "unable to digest" growing popularity of AIADMK government.

" Goverr had already explained states fiscal position with regard to obtaining funds from Centre and I had t only mentioned about it in my Budget speech but also replied in detail in (state) Assembly.

And Stalin goes about saying that state government had received only Rs1,928 crore.

But, this sum in fact is first installment of a total of Rs 32,849 crore allotted to Tamil Nadu by 15thFinance Commission," Panneerselvam said in a statement.

A total of Rs 32,849 crore would be received by state from central government as part of tax devolution during 2020-21 fiscal and Rs 1,928 crore which was received recently was only first installment.

re would be ar 13 installments which state would receive total amount.

"This has been possibly only due to efforts of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who while visiting New Delhi, raised issue with 15th Finance Commission.

He asked commission to consider 1971 population as its terms of reference instead of 2011 population," Deputy Chief Minister said and added that issue was raised at several meetings too, during commission chairman N K Singh's visit to Chennai.

government succeeded in increasing percent of sharing from 4.083 to 4.189 and was also in getting Rs 4,025 crore this year towards clearing revenue deficit.