Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday said the State had achieved growth in all economic indicators.
“Tamil Nadu is India’s second biggest economy. The State’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product, which was 5.4%, has increased to 9.21% in the last four years,” he said at a function organised by the DMK in Pallavaram to mark Tamil language martyrs’ day.
The State is a trend-setter in India in the field of medicine, education, and social welfare, Mr. Stalin said, adding: “Only 2.2% of the State’s population is multi-dimensionally poor, which is lower than the national average of 14.96%. We are going to launch the Thayumanavar scheme to eradicate poverty in the next two years.”
Since Tamil Nadu was a peaceful State, it had the highest number of women workers. The State accounts for 41% of India’s women workforce, Mr. Stalin added.
In the last three years, investment commitments worth over ₹10 lakh crore had been attracted from the private sector, he said. “Tamil Nadu is inching towards sky-high growth. But some forces are not liking this. To curtail the growth, they are destroying State autonomy and co-operative federalism,” he added.
He further said: “They are trying to impose Hindi everywhere; they are denying us funds. In total, the BJP government at the Centre is launching a political, economic, social and cultural invasion on Tamil Nadu. The DMK is fighting against this without any fear, and not bowing down to any threats,” he added.
“The State Universities are built through the State’s funds and the hard work of its people. But the Governor would appoint the Vice-Chancellors?...,” he asked.
He also listed the steps taken against the draft UGC regulations. “Universities are created by States. Don’t the States have the authority to govern and run them,” he asked. The DMK Students Wing would hold a massive protest against the UGC draft regulations, Mr. Stalin said.
Published - January 26, 2025 01:14 am IST
