- MK Stalin criticises PM Modi for delaying GST and Income Tax relief measures
- Alleges Centre is denying Tamil Nadu Samagra Shiksha funds for resisting Hindi imposition
- BJP says reforms followed tax base expansion and boosted state revenues
- Union Education Minister earlier linked Samagra Shiksha funds to NEP compliance
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 24th Sept: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the Union government of withholding state funds and delaying vital tax relief.
In a statement, Stalin said the Centre ignored years of Opposition calls for Goods and Services Tax (GST) cuts and Income Tax relief.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi now says Indians will save ₹2.5 lakh crore through GST reform and Income Tax relief. But this is exactly what the Opposition has been demanding from the very beginning. If these measures had been taken eight years ago, families across the country would already have saved many lakh crores more,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister alleged that half the cost of the relief was borne by the states without acknowledgement. “Tamil Nadu is being denied Samagra Shiksha funds only because we refuse to accept Hindi imposition. When will this injustice end?” he asked, urging the Centre to respect federalism and release the withheld funds.
BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy countered the claims, arguing that reforms were possible only after the tax base widened. “Eight years ago there were only 50 lakh assessees. Today we have one-and-a-half crore. The states’ GST revenue has increased over time,” he said.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently reiterated that adherence to the New Education Policy (NEP) is mandatory for states seeking Samagra Shiksha funds. Tamil Nadu has already approached the Supreme Court challenging this condition.
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