Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin demands 50% share in central taxes, release of education funds at Niti Aayog meet

The Tamil Nadu CM addressed the NITI Aayog meeting held in the national capital with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the chair.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday demanded that the Union Government pay the state 50 percent share in Central taxes, as compared to the 33.16 percent it receives against the 41 percent promised to it. He also urged the Centre to disburse Rs 2,200 crore funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) due for the state.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), "At the Niti Aayog meeting, I demanded a rightful 50 percent share for States in central taxes. We currently receive only 33.16 percent against the promised 41."

He also underscored the necessity for a dedicated urban transformation mission in the state and a river cleaning project for Cauvery, Vaigai and Thamirabarani.

"On the lines of Amrut 2.0, I stressed the need for a dedicated urban transformation mission, as Tamil Nadu is the most urbanised state in India," he wrote.

"I also urged a Clean Ganga-style project for Cauvery, Vaigai and Thamirabarani, with names in English for national coherence and regional pride," he added.

At the #NITIAayog meeting, I demanded a rightful 50 percent share for States in central taxes. We currently receive only 33.16 percent against the promised 41. On the lines of #AMRUT 2.0, I stressed the need for a dedicated urban transformation mission, as Tamil Nadu is pic.twitter.com/Tbj0DSjic2
M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 24, 2025

Talking about the "hefty sum" of Rs 2,200 crore, which, as per the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, was denied to the state for not signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Education Ministry regarding the "PM Shri" scheme, he stated that it does not augur well for cooperative federalism when states seek legal recourse to get the Central funds they are entitled to.

If Centre and all states work together like Team India, no goal is impossible: PM Modi at Niti Aayog meeting

Addressing the NITI Aayog meeting held in the national capital with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the chair, Stalin said, "Particularly, nearly Rs 2,200 crore of Union funds have been denied to Tamil Nadu in the year 2024-2025. This affects the education of children studying in government schools and children studying under Right to Education Act (RTE). Therefore, I urge you to release this fund without delay and without insisting on unilateral conditions."

"It is not ideal for the cooperative federal structure that states should be given funds after a legal battle. This will affect the development of the state and nation, as well," he said, and added that the Centre should extend its support without discrimination, so that Tamil Nadu and other states could achieve their developmental targets.

At the meeting, the Chief Minister outlined Tamil Nadu’s vision for inclusive and sustainable economic development based on equality and social justice. "The moto of our Dravidian Model government is ‘Everything for Everyone’," he said.

He tweeted: "During the #NITIAayog meeting, met our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submitted a memorandum detailing key priorities for Tamil Nadu’s development and social justice:

Approval for Coimbatore & Madurai #Metro
Transfer of Chennai #MRTS to @cmrlofficial
Upgrade NH32 (Chengalpattu–Tindivanam) to 6/8 lanes
Expansion of Coimbatore & Madurai Airports
Establishment of an #AIIMS in Coimbatore
Release of funds under #SSA
Change in nomenclature of certain communities in SC/ST List (‘N’/‘A’ to ‘R’)
Inclusion of SC-converted Christians in SC list
Safeguarding fishermen’s rights & expediting release of detainees.

We hope the Hon’ble Prime Minister will consider these proposals with due urgency, in the true spirit of cooperative federalism."

During the #NITIAayog meeting, met our Honble Prime Minister @narendramodi and submitted a memorandum detailing key priorities for Tamil Nadus development and social justice: Approval for Coimbatore & Madurai #Metro Transfer of Chennai #MRTS to @cmrlofficial Upgrade pic.twitter.com/lvg7ECmJdg M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 24, 2025

"Tamil Nadu has become industrialised throughout. From automobiles to green hydrogen, we have seen strong growth in all emerging sectors," he said, and listed out the numerous welfare measures his DMK government has undertaken since it stormed to power in 2021.