OPENING REMARKS OF THIRU M.K.STALIN, HON‟BLE CHIEF MINISTER OF TAMIL NADU IN THE 1ST MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL ON 9th JULY, 2021.
Members of the Council constituted to transform Tamil Nadu into incomparable Tamil Nadu,
Prof. Raghuram Rajan
Prof.Esther Duflo
Prof.Jean Dreze
Dr.Arvind Subramanian
Dr.S.Narayan,
Minister for Finance & HRM,
Chief Secretary to Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
Vanakkam
Tamil Nadu is but a tiny speck in the vast wide globe. The State Government of this little speck constituted an Advisory Council, and 5 persons of your eminence agreed to join the Council. As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, at the outset, I thank each one of you for having consented to join the Advisory Council. Your knowledge is extensive; your expertise is celebrated globally P.R.No.419 Date:09.07.2021 and your services have been availed of by the entire world. This Government is fully aware of this.
At a time of such a severe crisis, you have accepted our invitation and joined the Economic Advisory Council. I whole heartedly thank each one of you.
Growth which includes all communities! Growth which covers all districts! Growth which includes all sections of the society! This is the Dravidian Model. I wish to see Tamil Nadu grow in this inclusive fashion. You have been invited to show us the way to achieve this goal.
- Please give us general policy advice on matters of the economy and social policy.
- Please give us your suggestions and recommendations on social justice and human development.
- How do we provide equal opportunities for women and the oppressed?
- Please give us suggestions on how to enhance the economic growth of the State, employment and productivity.
- Please advise us on how to shore up the fiscal situation of the State.
- Please make recommendations on how to enhance State capacity to deliver better services to the people.
- Allow us to consult you on new ideas and solutions for issues that we face from time to time.
I request you to analyze the issues and suggest possible remedies. Please feel free to render your advice at your earliest convenience.
We are all currently in different countries. Had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic, we could have met and interacted in person. Once the pandemic abates, I look forward to meeting you all in person.
I am aware that these dreams cannot be easily realized. I am also aware that what we are contemplating and what is the reality today are different.
The Government of Tamil Nadu has a debt of more than Rs.5 lakh crores. The Public Sector Undertakings of the State have an outstanding debt of Rs.2 lakh crores. Financial resources are being raised only by a few departments that can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The State‟s autonomy in taxation has been taken away by the Union Government through GST. Hence, we cannot rely only on taxation measures.
Industrial development, social transformation, educational attainment, all need to happen at the same time. Growth cannot just be economic growth, but needs to be social progress as well. Economy, education, society, thinking and action all five need to progress. That is the growth Periyar, Anna and Kalaignar wanted to see. That is the Dravidian model of growth.
My Government needs to transform Tamil Nadu into the most favoured industrial investment destination in South Eastern Asia. We should be the State that provides high quality human resources to the whole world. We have to eliminate not justeconomic inequality, but social inequality as well. Tamil Nadu should become the model State in India which other States would seek to emulate. You have to give us advice to make this happen.
These dreams of mine cannot be realized through ordinary reforms. I am aware that only through a total and dramatic transformation will my dream be realized. Let me assure you that Government of Tamil Nadu is prepared to do whatever it takes. Today is an important day. I do not have to recall the renowned economist Dr. Amartya Sen to you. His book “Home in the World” about his life story was released earlier today. In it he asks:- “How do we measure whether a society is functioning well?” and responds “It can be measured through the welfare of the individuals who have created the society”.
That is what my Government desires as well. I want every single person in Tamil Nadu to celebrate and proudly proclaim, “This is my Government”.
I request you to be partners in realizing this dream. We will continue to meet, we will deliberate and we will create a prosperous Tamil Nadu.
Prof. Raghuram Rajan, Prof. Esther Duflo. Prof.Jean Dreze, Dr.Arvind Subramanian and Dr.S.Narayan, a special word of thanks to each one of you again.
VANAKKAM.
