Sat Mar 22 19:15:43 UTC 2025: ## Union Minister Slams Tamil Nadu’s Budget Criticism, Highlights Central Contributions

**Chennai, March 23, 2025** – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused the Tamil Nadu government of employing diversionary tactics by downplaying the Centre’s substantial contributions to the state’s development. Addressing the Chennai Citizens Forum, Sitharaman refuted claims that Tamil Nadu receives insufficient returns on its tax contributions, citing numerous ongoing and planned Union government schemes benefiting the state.

The Minister highlighted Tamil Nadu’s significant participation in various central initiatives, including:

* **Electronics Manufacturing:** The state boasts 47 manufacturing units supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) and is a major beneficiary of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for electronics, with seven out of 27 approved units. It also houses one of four firms approved under the PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cell batteries.
* **Automotive Manufacturing:** Tamil Nadu holds the second-largest number of manufacturing units under the PLI scheme for automobiles, with 46 out of 82 approved applicants.
* **Infrastructure Development:** Two major electronics manufacturing clusters, with investments exceeding ₹1,100 crores, are being developed in Pillai Pakkam and Manallur.
* **Cultural Initiatives:** The Minister emphasized the establishment of the first-ever Tiruvalluvar Centre in Singapore and the launch of multi-language and Braille translations of classic Tamil literature, including the Thirukkural and Manimekalai, under Prime Minister Modi’s initiative.

Sitharaman stated that while acknowledging the need for further development in Tamil Nadu, the state government’s focus on issues like the three-language policy and delimitation is a distraction from the substantial central support provided. She dismissed claims of inadequate returns on taxes as inaccurate.

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