We present a compiled summary of the requests made by MPs from Tamil Nadu in both Houses of Parliament, the questions they raised, and the written replies given by the concerned department ministers.
What steps are being taken to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen held by Sri Lanka?
In response to a question raised by DMK members A. Raja (Nilgiris) and Arun Nehru (Perambalur), External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said, “As of July 31, 27 fishermen and 249 fishing boats from Tamil Nadu are in the custody of the Sri Lankan government. The Central Government gives the highest priority to the safety and welfare of Indian fishermen. Through bilateral diplomatic channels and Joint Working Group meetings, the Sri Lankan government is being continuously urged to immediately release the fishermen and boats.”
Is AI technology being implemented in Tamil Nadu courts?
In response to the question raised by K. Nawaskani (Ramanathapuram, IUML), Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said, “In the third phase of the e-Courts project, provision has been made to use new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). However, according to information provided by the Supreme Court e-Committee, no AI-based pilot projects have so far been launched either in the Madras High Court or in any district and subordinate courts in Tamil Nadu, including Ramanathapuram.”
Are there special AYUSH schemes for the tribal people of Tamil Nadu?
In response to A. Mani’s (Dharmapuri, DMK) question, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav said, “A tribal health research project is being implemented in Chennai through the Central Ayurveda Research Institutes. In addition, traditional herbal medicine practices among the tribal people of Salem’s Palamalai and Dharmapuri district have been documented. Special medical camps for detecting anemia were also conducted last June in the Salem Kalvarayan Hills area by the Siddha Medical Research Council,” he said.
Has funding been provided for a Siddha medical tourism center in Tamil Nadu?
In response to C.N. Annadurai’s (Tiruvannamalai, DMK) question, Union Minister of State Prataprao Jadhav said, “Under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), financial assistance of Rs. 308.91 crore has been provided to the Tamil Nadu government from 2014-15 to 2025-26 for the development of hospitals, yoga, and Siddha centers. The Central Government is providing full financial assistance to the National Institute of Siddha (NIS) in Chennai’s Tambaram for medical education, research, and medical services.”
Has the fee for postgraduate medical courses been revised?
In response to R. Sudha’s (Mayiladuthurai, Congress) question, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda said, ‘The third phase of the scheme has been approved with an expenditure ceiling of Rs. 1.50 crore to upgrade 5,000 postgraduate (PG) medical seats in state government medical colleges. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has framed guidelines to regulate fees for 50% of seats in private colleges. However, the annual fee for diploma courses (DNB) for medical graduates conducted by the Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has been fixed uniformly across the country at Rs. 1,25,000,’ he said.
Need for a Common Sewage Treatment Plant in Arani
The request registered by M.S. Dharanivendhan (Arani, DMK) under Rule 377 of the House: ‘The renowned Arani silk weaving industry is facing a major challenge due to the lack of adequate sewage treatment (CETP) facilities. The Union government should immediately establish common sewage treatment plants to reduce the burden on small dyeing units and ensure environmental protection. Furthermore, it should provide the necessary technical and financial assistance to weavers to safeguard their livelihoods,’ he said.
In the Rajya Sabha...
Has funding for railway projects in Tamil Nadu been increased?
In a written reply to a question raised by Trichy Siva (DMK), Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The average annual allocation for railway infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu, which was Rs. 879 crore during the 2009-14 period, has been increased to Rs. 7,611 crore in the 2026-27 financial year (8 times). During the 2014-26 period, 1,356 km of new railway lines have been laid. As of April 1, 19 new railway project works worth Rs. 27,282 crore have been sanctioned and are under way in Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Will semiconductor electronics manufacturing hubs come up in Tamil Nadu?
In response to M. Thambidurai’s (AIADMK) question, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said, “The central government has extended support for electronics manufacturing zones in Tamil Nadu at Manalur (474.3 acres) and Pillappakkam (379.3 acres). In addition, financial and technical assistance has been provided to four semiconductor design companies in Chennai under the ‘Design Linked Incentive’ (DLI) scheme. The ‘Semiconductor 2.0’ scheme has also been introduced to promote the country’s semiconductor manufacturing,” he said.
What is the current status of the Madurantakam flyover work?
In response to M. Danapal’s (AIADMK) question, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Approval has been granted to construct a new railway overbridge (ROB) at a cost of Rs. 41.50 crore in place of LC.63 between the Padalam and Karunguzhi railway stations in Chengalpattu district. This project is being carried out on a cost-sharing basis with the state government. At present, route alignment work for the bridge is under way. Meanwhile, 14 flyover projects in Tamil Nadu are being delayed due to reasons including land acquisition,” he noted.
