Date:21/11/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/21/stories/2002112104371300.htm

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

T.N. seeks Central grant of Rs. 3,000 cr.

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI NOV. 20. The AIADMK today reiterated its demand for release of an un-tied package grant of Rs. 3,000 crores and easing of blanket curbs on borrowing to implement the developmental programme in Tamil Nadu. Raising the issue through a special mention in the Rajya Sabha, the AIADMK leader in the Rajya Sabha said the State was facing a severe financial crunch, which forced the State to open the current financial year with unpaid liabilities.

He said that in addition to the severe drought, the non-release of Cauvery water by Karnataka also affected the state of the economy on account of non-cultivation.

Tamil Nadu which had the third largest percentage of unemployment in the country, was forced to prune its Plan outlay for 2001-02 by Rs. 840 crores. The recommendations of the 11th Finance Commission reducing its share in the pool of Central revenues led to the State losing Rs.2,964 crores between 2000 and 2005, he said.