The Tamil Nadu Gov. Rajendra Arlikar on Thursday said the Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) government will conduct a “social justice survey” after the completion of the 2027 caste census and will issue a resolution demanding the state’s due share of fiscal devolution from taxes contributed to the Centre.
In his maiden speech before the state assembly, Arlikar became the first governor in the last three years to read the full text of the speech prepared by the government.
The governor acknowledged the filibuster-free measures and expressed his “tremendous satisfaction” with them on social media.
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The proceedings began with the traditional song “Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu” (Tamil supplication song) followed by the national anthem. Then, at the conclusion of the session, the national anthem was sung again.
During the previous DMK government, Governor RN Ravi used to stage a strike without addressing the assembly citing that the national anthem was not sung as per rally protocol, alleging that he was insulted.
Arlikar said the state government would urge the Center to quickly complete the caste census in conjunction with the ongoing population census so that it can move forward with the social justice survey.
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“It is a fundamental policy of this government that true social justice lies in every community getting due representation… After the Union government completes the caste census, the Tamil Nadu government will conduct the social justice survey,” Arlikar said.
“Fiscal transition” from taxes
Arlikar said Tamil Nadu will pass a resolution in the Assembly demanding the states’ due share of “fiscal devolution” of taxes contributed by the Union government.
“Along with passing the resolution, a special legal committee will be constituted to legally pursue the case before the Supreme Court, in order to ensure fair financial devolution,” he said, adding that a report will be published detailing the Center’s “discriminatory approach” towards Tamil Nadu’s financial devolution.
Arlikar said the government was against the Centre’s linkage between the implementation of the three-language formula and the allocation of education funds.
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The governor also said that the state government is taking necessary legal action to stop neighboring Karnataka’s proposal to implement the Mekedatu project, as it will greatly affect the livelihood of farmers.
Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the state is ready to hold talks with Tamil Nadu on the project.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin alleged that when the Governor read the speech without any changes, an impression was created that a “friendly atmosphere” had been created for a possible tie-up between TVK and the BJP at the Centre.
