Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and requested him to accord permission to the State to extend help and supply essential commodities and life-saving drugs to the Sri Lankan Tamils, who have been severely affected by the economic crisis in their country.
Besides, he sought Mr. Modi’s intervention to find a way for Indian students who were forced to leave Ukraine to continue their medical education in the country.
In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, Mr. Stalin, citing the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, said, “At this juncture, the Government of Tamil Nadu is willing to provide essential commodities and life-saving medicines to the Sri Lankan Tamils living in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka and Colombo, as well as those working in the plantation sector, who are reeling under a severe food crisis, as a life-saving measure, and help the Sri Lankan Tamils, especially the vulnerable group of women and children. It is requested to accord necessary permission to undertake this benevolent activity.”
He pointed out that 16 Sri Lankan Tamils, including seven children and an infant, had already reached Tamil Nadu shores because of the economic crisis. “They have embarked on the perilous journey owing to unaffordable essential commodities in Sri Lanka. At present, they are lodged at the permanent transit camp in Mandapam, Ramanathapuram district, for Sri Lankan Tamils. It is also informed that more such persons may be arriving because of the worsening economic condition,” he said.
Asked about the Prime Minister’s response to the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, Mr. Stalin said he was already aware of the issue and promised to offer necessary help.
Mr. Stalin, whose memorandum contained 14 demands, said the Prime Minister promised to take action on the issues, and he explained their importance. “I am happy and satisfied,” he told reporters about his meeting with Mr. Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and others.
The Chief Minister said he also requested the Union Home Ministry to advise the Sri Lankan government to ensure equal political and civil rights to the Eelam Tamils.
Mr. Stalin used the occasion to press for the State’s demand for dispensing with NEET for admission to medical colleges. “I took it up especifically with the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. I told them that the Bill for dispensing with NEET was reintroduced and passed in the Assembly after the Governor returned it. But the Governor has not yet sent it to the President. I have requested them to take action,” he said.
Mr Stalin urged the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of Jal Shakti not to give clearance to Karnataka for the Mekedatu project or for any new reservoir project in the Cauvery basin, and advise the Cauvery Water Management Authority not to give approval for the Mekedatu project and direct the Government of Karnataka not to take up any new project construction activities in the Cauvery basin without the consent of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister said Mr. Gadkari promised to implement more projects in Tamil Nadu in view of the State’s progress in the industrial sector. “When I wanted Mr. Rajnath Singh to give preferential treatment to the Defence Industrial Corridor in Tamil Nadu and allocate the test facilities to the Corridor, he told me that the State was best suited for launching projects connected with his Ministry. Our MPs have already raised the issues in Parliament and will continue to do so,” Mr. Stalin said.
He also revealed his plan to visit the model school and hospital in Delhi and Aravind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister, had come forward to accompany him. He also agreed to look into the complaints on the standard of Tamil schools in the capital.
Mr. Stalin, who made a strong case for revising levy of cesses and surcharges and merger of all such cesses and surcharges with the basic rate of tax so that the States could receive their legitimate share of the revenue, said he would meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday.
