In his customary address in the Assembly on Wednesday, Governor Banwarilal Purohit reiterated the Tamil Nadu government’s position on key issues such as the demand for a better deal for the State from the 15th Finance Commission, disbursal of dues by the Centre for various schemes and opposition to the Centre granting permission to Karnataka to prepare a detailed project report for the Mekedatu dam project, among others.

Mr. Purohit underlined the State’s opposition to Karnataka’s proposal to construct a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu and also to Kerala’s attempts to construct a new dam to replace the existing Mullaperiyar dam. Tamil Nadu “will continue its pursuit of raising the water level of this dam (Mullaperiyar) to 152 feet”, the Governor said.

On the issue of the Sri Lankan authorities arresting Tamil Nadu fishermen, he said the Centre should work with the neighbouring nation on finding an amicable and lasting solution.

He thanked the Central government for supporting the ongoing restoration efforts in Tamil Nadu in the wake of Cyclone Gaja and urged it to extend adequate financial assistance to the State to rebuild the damaged homes and restore the livelihood of those affected.

On the reopening of the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi, the Governor said the State government will appeal against the National Green Tribunal’s order. The State would also seek amendments to the National Medical Commission Bill, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill and the Electricity Bill and demand the withdrawal of the Dam Safety Bill.

The Governor said the Dam Safety Bill, which was introduced in Parliament, infringed upon the State’s rights, adding that he hoped the concerns of Tamil Nadu would be impartially addressed and resolved by the Centre.

Though Tamil Nadu continued to be a fiscally prudent State, “the revenue deficit has been on the rise in recent years”, mainly due to the devolution formulae evolved by the 14th Finance Commission, he said. “I earnestly hope that the 15th Finance Commission will uphold the principles of equity and efficiency and will give a fair deal in financial devolution to Tamil Nadu,” he added.

Dues from Centre

As for the implementation of the GST regime, the Governor said the Centre was yet to settle IGST dues of ₹5,454 crore for 2017-18 and make short payments on GST compensation to the tune of ₹455 crore for 2017-18 and ₹1,305 crore for the period between April and September 2018, which were adversely affecting the State’s finances.

“I urge the Central government to settle these dues at the earliest and ensure prompt release of such dues in future,” the Governor said.

Since the Tamil Nadu government was “forced to bear almost the entire liability” in the post-matric scholarship scheme for students from socially disadvantaged sections, the Governor requested the Centre to reconsider the matter and hoped that the guidelines would be revised so that the expenses were shared by the Centre and the States.

The Centre was planning to close research units such as the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) in Chennai and the Sugarcane Breeding Institute in Coimbatore. Such moves will “adversely impact the scientific research work in Tamil Nadu” aimed at bettering the lives of farmers and fishermen, Mr. Purohit said.

Lauding Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the Governor said, “His able leadership has made the administration responsive to public needs and has been taking swift decisions by clearing an unprecedented number of 11,286 files since he assumed office.”