CPI(M) MLA T. Latha Urges Tamil Nadu to Raise Local Body Fund Allocation to 30%

During the Assembly session in Chennai on Wednesday, CPI(M) MLA T. Latha of Kilvelur urged the Tamil Nadu government to increase the share of its tax revenue allocated to local bodies from the existing 10 percent to 30 percent. She noted that higher allocations are essential for panchayats and urban local bodies to deliver drinking water, sanitation, and basic infrastructure effectively.

Speaking during the debate on the demands for grants for Water Resources, Rural Development and Panchayats, and Tourism, Art and Culture, Latha called for the full devolution of powers. She demanded the transfer of 29 subjects meant for rural local bodies and 18 subjects for urban local bodies in accordance with the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

Latha also stressed the need for financial autonomy at the grassroots level, urging the state government to ensure that funds from the Central Finance Commission, State Finance Commission, and the State treasury are released directly to the concerned panchayats.

Addressing central policies, the MLA criticised the Union government's proposed VPG-Ramji scheme, alleging that it was designed to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). She stated that Tamil Nadu's allocation under the employment scheme had been reduced by 4.1 percent and called on the Assembly to adopt a resolution opposing the implementation of the new proposal.

Latha further urged the state government to conduct local body elections immediately to strengthen elected local governance. While welcoming the government's decision to increase assistance for rural concrete houses to Rs 5 lakh, she requested that the sum be raised to Rs 10 lakh in light of the rising costs of construction materials.

In addition to state-wide administrative reforms, the Kilvelur legislator placed several demands for her constituency. These included operating additional trains to Velankanni, setting up a mini-stadium at Kilvelur, constructing a new building for the local fire station, and providing smaller fire tenders suited for rural areas.

She also requested the repair and construction of regulators across the Maravanaru, Odampokki, and Pandavaiyar rivers, strengthening the bund of the Alam water body, and restoring key irrigation schemes that support farmers across the constituency.