Stalin Seeks 50% Tax Share, Urban Mission for TN

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, speaking at the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting on Saturday, urged the Union government to revise the state's share in central tax revenues to 50 per cent. He also called for a tailored urban transformation mission to support the state’s extensive urban infrastructure needs.

Stalin raised concerns over the current fiscal distribution, stating that Tamil Nadu receives only 33.16 per cent of its due from central taxes, falling short of the 41 per cent that was assured. 

In a post shared on the social media platform X, he wrote, “At the NITI Aayog meeting, I demanded a rightful 50 percent share for States in central taxes. We currently receive only 33.16 percent against the promised 41.”

Referring to Tamil Nadu’s status as the most urbanised state in the country, Stalin stressed the need for a dedicated urban mission similar to the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. “On the lines of AMRUT 2.0, I stressed the need for a dedicated urban transformation mission, as Tamil Nadu is the most urbanised state in India,” he stated.

He also proposed the introduction of a river conservation initiative modelled after the Clean Ganga project. “I also urged a CleanGanga-style project for Cauvery, Vaigai and Thamirabarani, with names in English for national coherence and regional pride,” Stalin said.

In a separate development at the same meeting, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu recommended the establishment of three thematic sub-groups in coordination with the Centre. These would focus on driving GDP growth, addressing population challenges, and leveraging Artificial Intelligence, as part of the roadmap toward the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision for a developed India.

A press statement from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) quoted Naidu as saying, “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.”