Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 7: Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP’s National Information & Technology Department, strongly countered former Union finance minister P Chidambaram’s remarks on fund allocation to Tamil Nadu under the Modi-led government.
Taking to his official X handle, Malviya clarified that the share of central taxes given to states was increased from 32% to 42% after 2015, following the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. “This naturally led to a substantial rise in funds for states like Tamil Nadu,” he pointed out.
Chidambaram had earlier questioned the Modi government’s claim that Tamil Nadu received more funding, arguing that it did not reflect in the state's GDP. Reacting sharply, Malviya said, “Tamil Nadu received significantly more for railway projects between 2014 and 2024 than during the UPA's decade of apathy (2004–2014). His counter? A smug lecture on GDP, as if that absolves Congress of its poor governance.”
He further slammed the Congress party’s understanding of economics, stating that their reliance on absolute figures instead of standard indicators like the Debt-to-GDP ratio was either hypocrisy or a lack of basic fiscal knowledge. “Even a first-year economics student knows that Debt-to-GDP is the benchmark,” he remarked.
In a sharp rebuttal, Malviya likened the Congress party’s grasp of economic principles to what he called the “strategic brilliance” of its de facto leader, accusing him of turning everything he touches into a fiasco.
“The Finance Commission is a constitutional body, independent by nature. It decides how taxes are shared between the Centre and the States. Something even high school students are taught,” Malviya said.
He reiterated that the Modi government had accepted and implemented the Finance Commission’s recommendation, resulting in a significant increase in devolution of central taxes to states.
Calling out Chidambaram, Malviya urged him to stop being “economical with the truth” and refrain from spreading misinformation.
“The facts are simple funds to states increased post-2015. Why deny this reality?” he concluded.