CHENNAI: At his first NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting on Thursday, chief minister C Joseph Vijay sought the release of pending central funds, including Rs 3,284 crore under the Samagra Shiksha scheme and Rs 2,284 crore for the Hogenakkal Phase-II Combined Water Supply Scheme, while pitching a range of demands for Tamil Nadu.Addressing the council, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijay said his govt would work constructively with the Union govt while firmly safeguarding TN’s interests and aspirations.He appealed to the Union govt to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET and declare Thirukkural as a “national literature.” He submitted a list of demands, including approval for six national highway projects to improve road connectivity in the state and a second AIIMS in TN (preferably in Coimbatore).Referring to the frequent arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy, Vijay emphasised the importance of the livelihoods and safety of fishing communities. “I urge the Union govt to protect the traditional fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the Palk Bay, ensure their safety and security and secure the release of their fishing boats,” he said and sought urgent diplomatic intervention to secure the release and safe return of TN fishermen from Sri Lanka and Pakistan.Vijay urged the Union govt to support permanent flood mitigation infrastructure in Tamil Nadu’s coastal cities under the Climate Resilient Master Plan 2045, noting that the state has a 1,076km coastline.“We look forward to the Union govt declaring the Space Manufacturing Hub at Kulasekarapattinam, set up with IN-SPACe, as a National Space Manufacturing Hub, enabling end-to-end manufacturing from propellants to launch vehicles and helping the nation tap into the global space economy,” he said. He sought employment generation under VB-G RAM-G for state rural housing schemes.Later, Vijay met Modi.
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