Nirmala Sitharaman rejects MK Stalin’s Tamil Nadu neglected claim, calls it ‘sad commentary’

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday rejected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s claim that the state has been ignored, in an exclusive interview with Network18 Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi. Calling the charge a “sad commentary,” she said recent budgetary allocations and infrastructure projects directly benefit Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Sitharaman pointed to major spending on railways, rural employment, and industrial sectors as evidence of the Centre’s support. “Super-fast trains, high-speed trains, is that not happening? Kerala and Tamil Nadu are election-bound states. Coconut farmers will benefit from budget measures. Rare earth corridors will benefit both Tamil Nadu and Kerala,” she said. Highlighting central allocations, the finance minister said, “Look at the allocation of VB G Ram G Act. Rs 95,000 crore have been given. The MNREGA component has got Rs 30,000 crore. The total allocation is Rs 125,000 crore. Does it not benefit Tamil Nadu and Kerala?” Sitharaman also ...