A summary has been compiled of the questions raised by members from Tamil Nadu in both Houses of Parliament, the written replies given by the concerned departments and ministers, and the requests recorded by members in the House.
In the Lok Sabha....
Is Tamil Nadu’s share in the central tax devolution being reduced?
Kanimozhi, K.E. Prakash In response to questions from DMK members, Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said, “There is no question of the central tax devolution share allotted to Tamil Nadu having been reduced. Tamil Nadu’s tax devolution share, which was 4.079 percent during the 15th Finance Commission, has increased to 4.097 percent during the period covered by the 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations (from 2026-27 to 2030-31). Furthermore, during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, Rs. 1,11,904 crore has been released to Tamil Nadu under central assistance schemes, and Rs. 34,513 crore under the Finance Commission,” he said.
Will illegal sand smuggling be prevented in the Cuddalore coastal area?
Dr. M.K. Vishnu Prasad (Congress), in response to a question, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said, “In the coastal area of Cuddalore district, important nuclear minerals including thorium and monazite have been found under the name ‘Pudupuram-Cuddalore P.S.M.’ Strict restrictions have been imposed on the monazite export policy to prevent the smuggling of beach sand and to curb unauthorized exports. In addition, illegal mining activities are being monitored through a satellite surveillance system. Necessary environmental and radiation protection measures are being continuously implemented so that the local fishing community does not suffer any radiation impact.”
Will government’s new restrictions affect solar power projects?
D.M. Selvakhanapathi (DMK) asked a question, and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi replied, “To promote domestic ‘solar cell’ production, the Central Government has prepared the ‘Approved List of Solar Cell Manufacturers.’ However, solar projects that have already been bid out and rooftop solar projects have been exempted, and sufficient time has also been provided. In India, solar equipment manufacturing capacity has increased to 213 GW, and solar cell manufacturing capacity has risen to 32 GW. This policy has been designed with the long-term growth of the solar sector in mind,” he said.
In the Rajya Sabha...
When will the Kulasekarapattinam Space Center be opened?
In response to a question from Trichy Siva (DMK), Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said that the first phase of construction work is progressing rapidly at the small satellite launch pad to be established in Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district. Of the Rs. 985.96 crore allocated for this project, Rs. 588.70 crore has been spent up to July. All necessary measures are being taken to complete the project within the stipulated deadline and bring the space center into operation. He said this would create direct employment for about 400 people and promote industrial growth in the surrounding areas.
Has funding been allocated for tourism projects in Tamil Nadu?
In response to a question raised by Praveen Chakravarthy (Congress), Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that under schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, Rs. 30.02 crore has been allocated to develop the Mamallapuram Shore Temple in Tamil Nadu, Rs. 20.01 crore to transform Rameswaram Island into a spiritual tourism center, and Rs. 40.94 crore to improve eight Navagraha temples. In addition, under the Special Assistance Scheme, Rs. 99.67 crore has been approved to create the ‘Nandavanam Heritage Park’ in Mamallapuram and Rs. 70.23 crore to set up an ‘Eco Park’ in Ooty, he said.
Are forest areas being reduced for commercial purposes?
To the question of I.S. Inbathurai (AIADMK), Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Keerthi Vardhan Singh replied, “According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR 2023), the country’s total forest cover has increased to 7.15 lakh sq. km (21.76%). Forest cover has increased by 156.41 sq. km compared with the previous assessment. When forest land is used for infrastructure and industrial projects, the creation of compensatory forest area and other environmental protection conditions have been made mandatory. In the past three years, 108.17 hectares of forest land in Tamil Nadu has been formally approved for other projects,” he said.
