Former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy has reiterated the Congress’ demand for the Union Territory, its inclusion in the purview of Finance Commission norms and waiver of old loans of Rs 8,000 crore.
In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, the former chief minister said the prime minister had promised to make the union territory the best (business, education, spiritual and tourism) center of the country during last year’s assembly election campaign. ,
However, in the current financial year, it did not even get 5 per cent additional grant. The previous Congress government had consulted the Madras School of Economics to determine the economic scenario of the Union Territory. The senior Congress leader said that as per the study done by the school, it was entitled to get central assistance of Rs 3,000 crore every year.
States were getting 41% as their share of revenue from the Center, but Union Territories were eligible for only 22%. Many development issues were pending for a long time. He said that the Center should find a mechanism for the revival of the closed textile mills and institutions under the cooperative sector.
He said the Center should also find ways to expedite the allocation of funds for smart city projects.