CM Vijay raises concerns over fiscal federalism, river resources, and delimitation during key regional meet
Mahabalipuram, August 20: The 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council is underway in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting is being attended by the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, along with representatives from the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay raised several important issues at the meeting, including the economic contribution of southern states, fiscal federalism, river water rights, drug prevention, and delimitation of constituencies.
Vijay stated that the southern states together contribute more than 30 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and are important engines of the country’s economic growth. He expressed concern over the spread of drugs to youth through online sales, illegal distribution, and interstate smuggling. He stressed the need for intelligence sharing among southern states and joint action against smuggling networks. He said, “We should not only create a drug-free Tamil Nadu, but also a drug-free South India.”
Chief Minister Vijay called for the development of common industrial and freight transport hubs across state borders and for the construction of industrial and freight corridors connecting production centers to ports. He said this would enhance export competitiveness and encourage foreign investment. He also called for the speedy implementation of the metro rail link project from Bommasandra in Bengaluru to Hosur.
On the issue of fiscal federalism, Vijay said that states that perform better in population control, human resource development, and fiscal discipline should not be disadvantaged. He demanded that states’ fiscal autonomy be respected, saying, “We are not asking for special concessions. We are only asking for a fair and equitable fiscal share.”
Vijay said that the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has reduced the states’ flexible revenue sources. In such a situation, the appropriate flexibility enjoyed by states in determining tax rates should be restored.
Referring to river water disputes, Vijay demanded the protection of water rights of downstream states and the full implementation of decisions by the Supreme Court, arbitration tribunals, and statutory bodies. He also mentioned the timely implementation of decisions by the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the court’s directive to raise the water level of the Mullaperiyar Dam to 152 feet.
Regarding the NEET exam, Vijay said that it is affecting students from rural and socio-economically backward classes. He demanded the central government allow admission to state quota seats, including MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses in Tamil Nadu, based on class 12th marks.
Expressing concern over the delimitation of constituencies, he said that if delimitation is done on the basis of population, then the southern states which have performed better in population control may have their representation in Parliament reduced. “Southern states which have controlled their population should not be penalized in terms of representation in Parliament,” he said.
Vijay demanded a clear legal assurance from the Centre that the percentage of parliamentary representation of any state will not be reduced due to its success in population control.
