TN govt must disclose all the account details for the Centre's funds, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

CHENNAI: Refuting the allegations raised by the ruling DMK, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the Central government has released Rs 5,000 crore as a special fund to Chennai and after the impact of Cyclone Michaung, an additional sum of Rs 900 crore was released to Tamil Nadu.

She also questioned what the Tamil Nadu government did with these two funds and said the ruling DMK government should disclose all the account details for the funds already released.

Responding to the accusations of the opposition parties on the Katchatheevu island row, Nirmala Sitharaman said, "We should not talk about a country's national security and sovereignty issues just for the sake of elections. We can talk about it anytime. It is our right. So, now the issue of Katchatheevu island is being talked about. Untruthful propaganda has been going on for 50 years about Katchatheevu."

"Opposition parties are making irresponsible speeches. Katchatheevu is a part of the life of our Indian fishermen. Also, the island plays an important role in our economic corridor. In this case, it is not appropriate to say that we should not talk about the issue of Katchatheevu, " she said while addressing reporters after attending a 'Viksit Bharat at 2047' event at a private varsity here.

Slamming the DMK-Congress alliance, the Finance Minister said the DMK and Congress parties were in alliance even when Katchatheevu was handed over to Sri Lanka and they are still in alliance.

"Congress being a national party, they say that people should not talk about the accusation of why Katchatheevu was given to Sri Lanka. Nehru called Katchatheevu a nuisance. Indira Gandhi also said that Katchatheevu is a small rock. It is DMK and Congress who spread false propaganda. The people of the country should know this. This is something that people need to be told whether there is an election or not, " Nirmala said, adding that every time the Congress commits acts against the people of Tamil Nadu, the DMK does not hold a single protest against it but, on the contrary, now the DMK government are writing to PM Modi 21 times.

Responding to a question about not contesting the Lok Sabha elections, Nirmala said, "I don't have the money to contest the elections. But, I can contest the elections even if there is no money. Our party will decide who to contest the elections. Whenever the party decides, then I will contest the elections."

She further said, if the Centre's special fund Rs 5,000 crore had been properly spent, Chennai would not have been affected during Cyclone Michaung.

However, the Finance Minister assured that the relief funds for Tamil Nadu would be released in a right time after the high level committee's discussions are over.