Despite manifold increase in funding for T.N., some keep crying, says PM Modi

Despite a manifold increase in allocation of funds from the Centre to Tamil Nadu, “some people” have the habit of crying for no reason, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Rameswaram on Sunday.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the new Pamban rail bridge, Mr. Modi, in the presence of Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and R.S. Rajakannappan, said: “Before 2014, Tamil Nadu used to get only an annual allocation of ₹900 crore for railway projects. But, this year, the budgetary allocation for such projects is over ₹6,000 crore.”

A total of 77 railway stations were being redeveloped. Besides, “generous allocations” have been made for rural roads and highway projects in Tamil Nadu. Modern public transport system, too, was being built, he added.

The Prime Minister further said that the Centre’s contribution was huge in housing schemes and crop insurance. The PM-KISAN and Jan Aushadhi Scheme would benefit crores of people in Tamil Nadu, he added.

It may be recalled that the DMK had been accusing the Centre of meting out a step-motherly treatment to Tamil Nadu over allocation of funds.

Mr. Modi said that the Centre was also taking steps to provide better infrastructure to fishermen. The Government of India, he said, was standing with the fishermen. A total of 3,100 fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for poaching in the island nation’s waters, were brought back to India in the last 10 years, he added.

He further said that the Centre had successfully brought back a few fishermen from the jaws of death, after they were given capital punishment by Sri Lankan courts.

Mr. Modi said that the Centre had sanctioned 11 Government medical colleges for Tamil Nadu, and appealed to the State government to start medical courses with Tamil as the medium of instruction.

Stating that good governance meant that the tax-payers money benefited the poorest of the poor, Mr. Modi said that PM-KISAN scheme and Crop Insurance benefited the poor people of the State.

Published - April 07, 2025 12:18 am IST