The Tamil Nadu government has called on the Centre to withdraw the recently enacted VB-G RAM G Act (Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act) and revert to the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This demand was made through the customary governor’s address prepared by the state government, which was taken on record by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, during the first session of the new year. Governor R N Ravi, however, refused to read the prepared text and walked out of the House, highlighting ongoing Centre-state tensions.

The address showcased the DMK-led government’s achievements across multiple sectors, including sports development, drinking water supply, water resource management, environmental conservation, and urban transport infrastructure. It emphasized Tamil Nadu’s progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, a centrally sponsored scheme, where the state has provided functional household tap connections to 1.12 crore rural households, delivering 55 litres of safe drinking water per person per day. Despite this, the speech pointed out a significant shortfall: the Centre has withheld Rs 3,112 crore required for the scheme’s continuation over the past one-and-a-half years, with approvals for new projects also pending.

The prepared speech further criticized delays in central fund releases for other key initiatives. It noted that Rs 3,548 crore approved under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan remains unreleased, forcing the state to cover the expenses from its own resources. Relief assistance during recent cyclones Michaung and Fengal was described as inadequate compared to the state’s requests. The address also raised concerns over the growing impact of cesses and surcharges on states’ share of tax revenues, reducing fiscal autonomy.

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On urban mobility, Tamil Nadu highlighted its proactive funding of the Chennai Metro Rail Phase II to keep work on track, while expressing hope for the timely release of the Centre’s share. It strongly condemned the rejection of metro rail proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai, labelling the decision as discriminatory. The overall tone of the address underscored Tamil Nadu’s multifaceted growth initiatives while accusing the Union government of persistent delays and inadequate support for critical schemes.

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