‘PR over performance’: Anand Srinivasan slams Modi on TN funds claim
Also, discussing infrastructure projects, Srinivasan referenced the Pamban Bridge inauguration, noting that the bridge malfunctioned shortly after its opening ceremony
In a recent interview with The Federal, economist and Congress spokesperson Anand Srinivasan critically assessed the claims made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding increased financial allocations to Tamil Nadu under the NDA regime. Srinivasan challenged the validity of these assertions, emphasising the need for a more nuanced analysis of economic data.
Prime Minister Modi asserted that Tamil Nadu received nearly three times more funds under the NDA government compared to the UPA era. Srinivasan questioned this claim, highlighting the importance of evaluating allocations as a percentage of GDP rather than in absolute terms. He pointed out that as the economy grows, absolute figures can be misleading. "You measure allocation as a percentage of GDP," he stated, suggesting that this approach offers a more accurate reflection of financial commitments.
Also read: Tamil Nadu leads India with highest growth percentage: CM Stalin
Concerns over infrastructure quality
Discussing infrastructure projects, Srinivasan referenced the Pamban Bridge inauguration, noting that the bridge malfunctioned shortly after its opening ceremony. He criticised the government's focus on public relations events without ensuring the quality and reliability of the infrastructure. "The Prime Minister is an event manager where he does PR events at the time of opening without even bothering to check whether the quality of infrastructure that he has inaugurated is of working order or not," he remarked.
Railway Budget discrepancies
Addressing claims about increased railway Budgets, Srinivasan expressed skepticism over the figures presented by Modi. He questioned the tangible outcomes of such allocations, pointing to the absence of significant developments like new track installations or high-speed links. Srinivasan also raised concerns about the frequency of railway accidents, suggesting that if substantial investments had been made, safety should have improved.
Also read: 'They do not sign in Tamil': PM Modi takes a dig at DMK amid language row
Piped water supply claims
On the topic of piped water supply, Prime Minister Modi claimed that 12 crore rural families received connections for the first time during the NDA regime, with 1 crore beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu. Srinivasan contested this, stating that Tamil Nadu has historically had robust water supply systems since the era of former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran. He implied that the Prime Minister's figures might be inflated or misrepresented.
Language and education policies
Srinivasan also addressed Modi's call for medical education in Tamil and the critique of Tamil leaders sending letters in English. He interpreted these remarks as politicising the language issue, accusing the Modi government of attempting to impose a three-language formula on Tamil Nadu. Srinivasan emphasised the state's pride in its linguistic heritage and resistance to such policies.
Simultaneous elections debate
Regarding the proposal for 'One Nation, One Election', Srinivasan was critical of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's assertion that it would save public funds and boost GDP by 1.5 per cent. He questioned the basis of this claim, pointing out that previous economic reforms like GST have not yielded the projected growth. Srinivasan stressed the importance of adhering to the constitutional framework and engaging in comprehensive discussions before implementing such significant changes.
Throughout the interview, Anand Srinivasan underscored the necessity of scrutinizing governmental claims with a critical eye, advocating for analyses grounded in economic principles and empirical data. His insights call for a more transparent and accountable approach to policy-making and public communication.
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