PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan Condemns Centre's Discriminatory Metro Project Policies
Tamil Nadu's Information Technology Minister, PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, expressed strong disagreement on Wednesday with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the Madurai metro project, despite acknowledging their personal friendship. Speaking to reporters in Madurai, the minister highlighted what he described as a biased approach by the Union government towards infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu.
Population Criteria Questioned for Metro Project Rejections
PTR pointed out that the Madurai and Coimbatore metro projects were rejected by the central authorities, citing population as the primary reason. He argued that this justification is inconsistent, as metro projects have been successfully implemented in several northern states with significantly lower population densities. "Will the population of Madurai suddenly increase to 2.5 million at that time?" he questioned, referencing a statement by Devendra Fadnavis. The Maharashtra CM had previously promised to approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring the metro to Madurai if a specific candidate was elected as MLA.
The minister confirmed that the detailed project report for the Madurai metro has been resubmitted to the Union government after necessary corrections were made. He emphasized that this move demonstrates Tamil Nadu's commitment to advancing the project despite bureaucratic hurdles.
Allegations of Stepchild Treatment and Funding Disparities
PTR accused the Union government of adopting a "stepchild attitude" towards Tamil Nadu, alleging that funds are systematically denied not only for metro projects but for various state schemes. He cited examples where education funds were withheld unless Tamil Nadu implemented a three-language formula, a condition he views as politically motivated.
Furthermore, he highlighted the delayed approval for Chennai metro phase-2, which began in 2021-22 with full funding from the Tamil Nadu government but only received Union cabinet approval in 2024. "The Union government is telling people it will provide projects only if they vote for the BJP, thereby forcing the public to vote for the party," PTR stated, linking project approvals to electoral politics.
Financial Inequities and Naming Controversies
The minister elaborated on financial disparities, claiming that for every rupee Tamil Nadu contributes to the Union government, only 25 paise is returned, and even that comes with restrictive spending regulations. He also alleged that project approvals are contingent on naming them in Sanskrit, which he interprets as a cultural imposition undermining Tamil identity.
PTR concluded by asserting that the Centre continues to betray the people of Tamil Nadu by refusing to grant projects that rightfully belong to the state, calling for a more equitable and transparent approach to infrastructure funding and development across India.
