Title: Request the Central Government to allot funds to the States based on the collections of the diesel cess and their rural population.
SHRI A.K.S. VIJAYAN (NAGAPATTINAM): I congratulate the hon. Prime Minister for launching the “Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojna” for the development of the rural areas. The diesel cess fund allotted by the Ministry of Finance will be used to ensure one hundred per cent rural connectivity. The criteria for allotting the funds to the States are based on rural connectivity and population density. Tamil Nadu, which has utilised the State funds for the road infrastructure in the rural areas will be affected if the criteria are implemented.
I request you to allot funds to the States based on the collections of the diesel cess and rural population. Here I would like to mention that the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi has announced a scheme to connect the colonies of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes with cement roads. This is one of his welfare schemes towards the development of rural areas and the Scheduled Caste people. If he gets more funds, his schemes will be implemented quickly.
I came to know that the Central Government has yet to take a decision on the modalities of the fund allocation. I request you to take a decision at the earliest and allot funds according to the collection of the diesel cess fund. The delay in allotting the fund will hamper the work as the Southern States will face heavy rains in the forthcoming months.
