Jayalalithaa asks centre to consider implications of incentives

Welcoming President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the joint session of parliament's both houses, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Monday urged the centre to consider implications of granting fiscal incentives to neighbouring states.

Referring to Mukherjee's speech, Jayalalithaa said: "While I am not opposed to the support the union government gives to specific states, I would only urge the government of India to carefully consider the implications of granting fiscal incentives, especially area based tax exemptions, taking into account the economic activity in neighbouring states."

She also expressed her happiness at Mukherjee's statement indicating that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be implemented after addressing the concerns of the states.

Referring to the central government's decision to build 100 new cities and set up 50 tourist circuits, Jayalalithaa in a statement here hoped Tamil Nadu would receive its due share of central investment.

On the centre's decision to set up National Maritime Authority, she said the governments of maritime states should be fully involved in such an authority.

Welcoming the centre's recognition to bring in a spirit of cooperative federalism, the chief minister said she was looking forward to the concrete shape it would take and use the same for development of Tamil Nadu.

Jayalalithaa said the president's address steered clear of contentious and divisive issues which augurs well for the nation in the coming five years.

"There are some very progressive ideas on education including breaking down the divide between formal education and skill development," she said.

According to Jayalalithaa, the emphasis on sports in holistic education and the National Sports Talent Search Mission are very welcome.

"We look forward to the New Health Policy which has been promised," she said.