Finance Minister’s Speech at the Union Pre-Budget Meeting

Finance Minister’s Speech in the Union Pre-Budget Meeting conducted by the Union Government

1. Chennai Metro Rail Phase-2 Funding Request
   • Expressed gratitude to the Union Government for approving the long-pending Chennai Metro Rail Phase-2 Project.
   • Highlighted that the State Government has already spent ₹26,490 crore over the past three years, creating a significant financial strain.
   • Requested an allocation of ₹10,000 crore in the current year and ₹16,000 crore in the ensuing year to support the completion of the project, enabling the State to focus on other developmental priorities.
2. Approval for New Metro Projects
   • Urged the Union Government to approve metro rail projects for Madurai and Coimbatore.
3. Unconditional Release of Funds for Schemes
   • Requested the Union Government to refrain from imposing restrictive or extraneous conditions on the release of funds for various schemes.
   • Cited the delay in releasing ₹2,152 crore approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) for Tamil Nadu’s Annual Work Plan & Budget under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan.
   • Emphasized the critical need for these funds to ensure teacher salaries, school functionality, and implementation of the RTE Act, which impacts 44 lakh students, 2.2 lakh teachers, and 21,276 staff.
   • Urged immediate fund release without linking it to unrelated considerations.
4. Disaster Relief Funding
   • Highlighted Tamil Nadu’s recurring challenges from natural disasters, including Cyclone Fengal, which recently caused widespread damage across 14 districts.
   • Explained that existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) provisions are insufficient to address immediate relief and long-term restoration needs.
   • Requested ₹6,675 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for recovery efforts following Cyclone Fengal.
5. Railway Project Requests
   • Stressed the need for new railway lines to boost industrial development in Tamil Nadu.
   • Proposed the following projects for inclusion in the upcoming Budget:
     • 4th line between Tambaram and Chengalpattu
     • New line: Tiruppathur – Krishnagiri – Hosur
     • New line: Madurai – Thoothukudi via Aruppukkottai (143.5 km)
     • Minjur – Tiruvallur – Sriperumpudur – Oragadam – Singaperumalkoil – Maduranthagam
     • Semi-high-speed corridor: Chennai – Salem – Coimbatore, with extensions to Salem – Hosur – Bengaluru and Coimbatore – Ernakulam
6. National Highway Projects
   • Highlighted the urgent need for the construction of an elevated road between Tambaram and Chengalpattu (NH-32) and from Chengalpattu to Tindivanam.
   • Explained that increased traffic on the Chennai–Kanniyakumari Corridor, developed as a four-lane highway in 2005, has led to frequent accidents and fatalities.
   • Urged the Union Government to prioritize and allocate funds for these projects in the upcoming Budget.

Issued by: DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9