Tamil Nadu CM Stalin calls for greater fiscal autonomy at NITI Aayog meet Chief ministers of West Bengal, Puducherry, Karnataka, and Kerala — Mamata Banerjee, N Rangasamy, Siddaramaiah, and Pinarayi Vijayan, respectively — skipped the meeting. Synopsis: Stalin pointed out that while the 15th Finance Commission had recommended 41% tax devolution to states, only 33.16% of the Union’s gross tax revenue had been devolved over the past four years. He also noted that the state share in centrally-sponsored schemes was rising, further straining state finances. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged the Union government to enhance the state’s share in central taxes to 50 percent, besides demanding a dedicated urban transformation mission. Speaking at the 10th General Council meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Saturday, 24 May, Stalin emphasised the need for a stronger cooperative federal structure and called for equitable fiscal support from the Union government to states. Also Read: Fight for equitable revenue sharing Stalin showcases Dravidian Model Addressing the gathering, which included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Lieutenant-Governors of Union Territories, Stalin reaffirmed the state’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030. “This vision is encapsulated in what the state terms the ‘Dravidian Model’—an approach focused on ensuring ‘everything for everyone,” he said. He noted Tamil Nadu’s recent economic strides, with a consistent annual growth rate exceeding 8%, and said the state achieved the highest GSDP growth rate of 9.69% last year. Stalin committed Tamil Nadu to contributing robustly to India’s long-term economic target of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047, asserting that the state was working towards contributing $4.5 trillion. He showcased Tamil Nadu as an industrial hub, spanning sectors from automobiles to green hydrogen. He also underscored Tamil Nadu’s pioneering efforts in women’s empowerment and urban development: Tamil Nadu has the highest percentage (41%) of women workers in factories across India. The morning nutrition scheme benefits 1.8 million children. The Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam offers ₹1,000 monthly assistance to 11.4 million women. Under the Vidiyal Payanam scheme, women have undertaken over 69.4 crore free bus journeys. “Thozhi” hostels are provided for working women. Over 4 million youth have received skill training under “Naan Mudhalvan”. Schemes like “Pudhumai Penn” and “Tamil Pudhalvan” promote higher education. 30 new industrial parks and 16 mini TIDEL IT parks have been established in four years. Emphasizing the state’s urbanisation, Stalin pressed for enhanced investment in urban infrastructure and amenities. He called for a comprehensive new urban rejuvenation scheme focused on sanitation, mobility, and infrastructure as AMRUT 2.0 nears completion. Also Read: How share from Central pool of taxes to Southern States consistently reduced Clean Rivers mission Stalin requested a “Clean Rivers” mission akin to the “Clean Ganga” scheme, specifically for southern rivers like the Cauvery, Vaigai, and Thamirabarani, considering their cultural and ecological importance. He also urged that all such centrally-sponsored schemes should be titled in English to enable pan-India accessibility and translation into regional languages. Raising concerns about fiscal centralisation, Stalin criticised the Union government’s withholding of nearly ₹2,200 crore under the SSA (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan) due to Tamil Nadu’s non-signing of an MoU under the PM SHRI scheme. He warned that such unilateral conditions adversely affect students, particularly those in government and RTE (Right to Education) schools. He also objected to states being forced to litigate or protest for their rightful financial dues, saying it undermined the federal structure. Stalin pointed out that while the 15th Finance Commission had recommended 41% tax devolution to states, only 33.16% of the Union’s gross tax revenue had been devolved over the past four years. He also noted that the state share in centrally-sponsored schemes was rising, further straining state finances. Given this dual burden, reduced tax devolution, and increased matching contributions, Stalin urged that the states’ share in Union tax revenue be raised to 50%. Stalin thanked the NITI Aayog for facilitating the discussion and reaffirmed Tamil Nadu’s commitment to contributing to a plural, prosperous, and strong India. “Only when each state thrives with its own identity and autonomy will a truly united and powerful India emerge on the global stage,” he said. Also Read: Naidu gets Centre on board for defence and space sectors AP moots sub-groups of states Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu recommended the formation of three sub-groups on GDP growth, population management, and leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI). He said the sub-groups of states formed in collaboration with the Centre should work towards fast-tracking the Viksit Bharat–2047 vision. “The first sub-group on GDP growth aims to boost investments, manufacturing, exports, and job creation, supported by Central viability gap funding for PPP projects,” the TDP quoted Naidu in a media statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who pushed for expediting development, met Stalin, Naidu, and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on the sidelines of the meeting. Chief ministers of West Bengal, Puducherry, Karnataka, and Kerala — Mamata Banerjee, N Rangasamy, Siddaramaiah, and Pinarayi Vijayan, respectively — skipped the meeting. (Edited by Majnu Babu).