New Delhi: A video of Tamil Nadu MP Kanimozhi taking a jibe at the Union government over its 'meagre' allocation of funds for South India has now gone viral.
In the video, Kanimozhi during the debate on Budget 2022, can be heard raising concerns over how Rs 13,200 crore has been allotted for the northern railway which is far more than the meagre amount of Rs 59 crore given to the south.
As Kanimozhi stated the discrepancy in budget allocations to the south and north, there was a vocal display of criticism, with Parliamentarians shouting "shame, shame".
There has been a long-standing difference between the amount given to the southern belt and that granted to the north vis-à-vis infrastructure facilities.
"I ask the minister to look at the disparity and differences between what is given to the northern railway and how the south is being treated," remarked Kanimozhi, directly addressing Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
"You keep talking about India being one nation. Railways also have to understand that it is one nation," she said in the Lok Sabha. Her speech is now being shared on social media widely.
The budget for the year 2022-23 has been criticized by many for focusing solely on infrastructure. However, it is also worth noting that the infrastructure funds are not being distributed in an equal fashion.
The DMK MP while expressing concern over huge vacancies in railways also said that South Indians don't get jobs, and it seems that there is an effort to keep them away. She demanded the government to clarify as to how 100 per cent electrification can be achieved by next year if it is 73 per cent at present.
Discussions on Demands for Grants in Railway Ministry took place in Lok Sabha on the second day of the second half of the Budget session. The proceedings of the House were extended till 11 pm.