Jayalalithaa flags GST, inter-river concerns before PM Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today flagged several issues during her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at her Poes Garden residence here.

The issues flagged during the nearly 50-minute-long meeting included the issue of inter-state river disputes and the impact of the proposed Goods and Services Tax regime on Tamil Nadu's economy, besides the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

In a detailed memorandum, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, who has been ailing for some time, sought central intervention in matters like the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar disputes with Karnataka and Kerala respectively.

In the memorandum released by the state government, the Centre was asked to immediately form the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee for implementing the final award given by the disputes tribunal.

As far as Karnataka's proposed dam across River Cauvery at Mekedatu was concerned, Jayalalithaa said this was "in violation" of the final award.

Prime Minister Modi was asked to intervene and tell the Karnataka Government not to proceed with the project without Tamil Nadu's concurrence.

She also called for retrieval of Katchatheevu islet from Sri Lanka, besides stressing on India's role to ensure welfare of Lankan Tamils.

On the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister she was apprehensive about its impact on the state autonomy.

Describing Tamil Nadu as a manufacturing state, she said that it stood lose huge revenue if the GST were to be implemented from April 2016, due to the shift of levy from the point of origin to the point of destination.