EPS Criticises TN Assembly Functioning and State Financial Management

AIADMK General Secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday criticised the functioning of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, alleging that proceedings were being diverted to government matters rather than addressing public issues.

Speaking to reporters in Vellore, Palaniswami claimed that legislative proceedings were being conducted like cinematic portrayals rather than a functional legislature. He stated that the valuable time of the House was being wasted and that adequate time was not allocated to deliberate on problems faced by the public.

Palaniswami raised concerns over the manner in which Question Hour is conducted in the House. He alleged that when MLAs submit questions regarding specific departments, the concerned ministers fail to respond. According to Palaniswami, only around four ministers, including Aadhav Arjuna, Nirmal Kumar, and Rajmohan, regularly respond to questions across various departments. He noted that ministers are designated to particular portfolios specifically to address related grievances, but said this system is not being maintained. He further stated that demands for grants concerning departments held by the Chief Minister, such as Municipal Administration and Water Supply, were being handled and answered by other ministers instead.

Critiquing the government's economic performance, Palaniswami alleged that the administration had borrowed Rs 28,000 crore within 100 days of assuming office. He stated that Rs 25,000 crore of this borrowed amount was spent on revenue expenditure, warning that public debt could escalate further without sound financial management. He also claimed that major election promises remained unfulfilled and that no useful new public schemes had been introduced.

Palaniswami highlighted rising commodity prices, stating that essential food items had become increasingly unaffordable for the poor. He noted that sugar was selling at Rs 75 per kilogram and the price of rice had increased by Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kilogram, alongside increases in the prices of pulses, tamarind, and cooking oil. He stated that the Food Minister had failed to provide satisfactory solutions in the House to curb price inflation.

Addressing the provision of cars to MLAs, Palaniswami said the decision to use official vehicles rests with individual legislators. He noted that he opted not to take an official car as he already had access to one, and reiterated that AIADMK legislators are free to decide based on their personal preferences.