Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday, June 16 launched a strong attack on Governor R.N. Ravi for the continued delay in granting assent to the bill establishing Kalaignar University in Kumbakonam, named after DMK patriarch and Stalin’s father, M. Karunanidhi.
Speaking at the Raja Serfoji Government College in Thanjavur during the launch of new welfare schemes, Stalin expressed frustration over the inaction.
“The bill for setting up the Kalaignar University in Kumbakonam was sent on May 2, more than 40 days ago. The assent is still not given. We hoped he would have changed after the SC verdict but he has not,” he said. Stalin was referring to the Supreme Court’s April 8 ruling that Governors cannot withhold assent to bills indefinitely. The court prescribed a maximum of three months for action on pending bills — a verdict that came in response to a petition by the Tamil Nadu government against Governor Ravi for sitting on ten state bills without resolution.
Stalin also pointed out that the proposal to establish the university had already received consensus approval.
“The announcement to set up the university had come on April 24 this year in the Parliament and that the name had been approved unanimously, not just by DMK legislators,” he noted.
The Chief Minister further alleged that Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian had tried to meet the Governor regarding the university issue but was refused a meeting.
“He knows if he gives an appointment this is what will be asked. He is refusing for fear of this question,” Stalin said, adding sarcastically, “What the people ask is, what job does the Governor have that is more important than this.”
Stalin accused both the Governor and the Union Government of obstructing the state’s functioning.
“The Governor is on one side, the Union government is on another side. They are hurting us by not giving funds. Despite these attempts, the government has carried out its duties,” he said.
At the event, Stalin announced the launch of a new scheme ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ (Stalin with You), scheduled to begin on July 15. Under the scheme, the state government will conduct camps to collect petitions from citizens and ensure the delivery of welfare schemes at the grassroots level.
The initiative will include 3,768 camps in urban areas and 6,232 in rural regions, Stalin said. He added that the camps will also serve as collection points for applications from women seeking benefits under the ‘Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam’ — a state welfare scheme providing monthly financial assistance to eligible women.