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Tamil Nadu Assembly Session Extended, Fiscal Challenges Highlighted in Budget

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session has been extended and will continue until February 20, with discussions on the Interim Financial Statement scheduled. Speaker M Appavu detailed the schedule and defended the assembly's practice of singing "Tamil Thai Vazhthu" instead of mandatorily singing "Vande Mataram" before the Governor's address. He also emphasized the extensive live broadcast of assembly proceedings. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, while presenting the interim budget, accused the Union Government of creating unprecedented fiscal stress for the state by denying funds and imposing conditions.

Key Points: TN Assembly Session Till Feb 20, Interim Budget Presented

  • Assembly session extended to February 20
  • Interim Financial Statement tabled for discussion
  • Speaker defends assembly traditions and live broadcast
  • Finance Minister alleges unfair fiscal treatment by Centre
3 min read

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session to continue until February 20: Speaker Appavu

Tamil Nadu Assembly session extended to Feb 20. Finance Minister cites unprecedented fiscal challenges from Union Govt in interim budget presentation.

"The scale of challenges Tamil Nadu faces in the current financial year is unprecedented. - Thangam Thennarasu"

Chennai, February 17

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session commenced on Tuesday at the Secretariat, during which the Interim Financial Statement and the Agriculture Interim Financial Statement were tabled.

Following this, a Business Advisory Committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Speaker Appavu.

Later, addressing the media, the Assembly Speaker M Appavu said that the session will continue till Friday. He added that a discussion on the Interim Financial Statement will be held today and tomorrow. On Friday, the reply will be delivered by the ministers.

"The Assembly session would continue until February 20. The discussion on the Interim Financial Statement will take place tomorrow and the day after. There will also be a Question Hour on both days. This will be followed by the ministers delivering their replies on Friday," the speaker said.

Responding to a question about whether the song "Vande Mataram" must be mandatorily sung at events attended by the Governor, Appavu said that, as per the tradition of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the Governor delivers his address, and prior to that, "Tamil Thai Vazhthu" is sung. He stated that this is the established practice of the Assembly.

Appavu said that proceedings of the Legislative Assembly are broadcast live to the maximum extent possible, including Question Hour, ministers' replies, and special resolutions moved by the Chief Minister. The speeches of the Leader of the Opposition are also telecast live, and nothing is cut.

When asked when the proceedings would be broadcast in the same manner as in Parliament, Appavu responded by saying that in Parliament, the Speaker can tell even the Prime Minister not to speak; can such a situation arise here?

He added that democracy functions here in a manner even better than in Parliament.

Earlier today, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said the State is facing unprecedented fiscal challenges due to the actions of the Union Government, alleging denial of funds, a reduction in tax revenues, and the imposition of conditions that have strained Tamil Nadu's finances.

Speaking in the assembly while presenting the interim budget, Thennarasu said that in a federal polity, States have often been treated unfairly, but the scale of challenges Tamil Nadu faces in the current financial year is unprecedented.

He said the Union Government has denied sanctions for major infrastructure projects, withheld funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, curtailed tax revenues without consultation and imposed conditions mandating expenditure, thereby creating artificial fiscal stress for the State.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
The Finance Minister's points about the Centre's fund denial are very serious. If states like TN are financially strangled, how will development reach the people? This is a national issue, not just a Tamil Nadu one. The central government needs to be more cooperative with all states.
A
Arjun K
Respectfully, while I appreciate the Speaker standing by state traditions like 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu', we must also remember we are part of one India. 'Vande Mataram' is our national song and should be respected everywhere. There's room for both state pride and national unity. 🇮🇳
S
Sneha F
The comment about democracy functioning better here than in Parliament is a bit bold! 😅 But it's good to see assertive state leadership. Hope this session focuses on concrete solutions for farmers and the common man, not just political point-scoring.
D
David E
Following this from abroad. The fiscal federalism debate in India is fascinating. The Finance Minister's allegations, if true, are concerning for balanced regional development. The live broadcast of proceedings is a very positive step for public engagement.
K
Karthik V
All this talk about funds and tradition is fine, but what about the actual budget? What's in it for the middle class struggling with prices? What about job creation? Let's see some actionable points come out of these discussions. Enough politics.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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