Stalin seeks meet with PM on June 17 to discuss major Tamil Nadu issues

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday said he has sought a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 17 to discuss major State- related issues with him.

Though the Prime Minister's Office has given a nod tentatively, the actual time would be announced later, Stalin told reporters after releasing water from Mettur Dam in Salem district for irrigation in 12 delta districts during the Kuruvai season.

Stalin has written a letter with regard to the meet with Modi to discuss, among other things, GST dues, allocation for various development scheme and NEET.

On releasing water, Stalin said the State government was firm on it as was mentioned in the DMK's election manifesto and exuded confidence that the State would create history in agriculture production due to the timely release.

On availability of water from Cauvery from Karnataka, he said he had written to Central Water Commission to ensure continuous release of water as per the Supreme Court order of 9.19 tmc in June and 31.24 tmc in July.

To make the water reach the delta districts, the government has taken up 647 desilting works in nine districts at a cost of over Rs 65 crore and appointed a special officer to monitor the progress, he said.

To a question on Covid-19, Stalin said the incidence of positive cases was declining in majority of the districts, particularly Chennai, and based on that more relaxations were announced in 27 districts.

However, the districts in western Tamil Nadu such as Coimbatore and Tirupur were reporting little higher, he said adding that overall, the government has succeeded in controlling the spread.

On the criticism of opening government-run liquor outlets, the Chief Minister said they were opened following the decline in Covid cases and as part of relaxation of restrictions in a few districts.

State Ministers Durai Murugan, K N Nehru and Senthi Balaji, and senior officials from various departments were present.