In the letter, Stalin highlighted that Tamil Nadu has consistently topped the national chart in implementing NABARD-funded projects under earlier RIDF tranches.
Published Aug 19, 2025 | 5:18 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 19, 2025 | 5:18 PM
Kanimozhi and Thangam Thennarasu meet Nirmala Sitharaman. (Supplied)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged the Union Finance Ministry to expedite the approval of a normative allocation of ₹4,500 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) Tranche XXXI and sanction of ₹350 crore under the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) for the expansion of the Colachel fishing harbour in Kanniyakumari district.
A delegation comprising Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on on Tuesday, 19 August, and submitted Stalin’s letter of request.
In the letter, Stalin highlighted that Tamil Nadu has consistently topped the national chart in implementing NABARD-funded projects under earlier RIDF tranches. He noted that in Tranche XXIX and XXX, the state not only fully utilized but even exceeded the sanctioned allocations—₹3,261.72 crore against ₹3,250 crore, and ₹3,330.78 crore against ₹3,100 crore, respectively.
“The State has been regularly leading the table at the national level in executing rural projects at a brisk pace and availing disbursements under RIDF, NABARD,” Stalin wrote, stressing that Tamil Nadu has already submitted project proposals worth ₹4,500 crore for 2025-26 but sanction is being delayed due to pending approval of the normative allocation.
On the fisheries front, Stalin pressed for urgent sanction of funds for the expansion of Colachel harbour, a long-standing demand of the fishermen in Kanniyakumari district. The district has a 72 km coastline and more than 400 mechanised fishing vessels operating from Colachel. The existing harbour, Stalin said, is inadequate, leading to severe congestion and inefficiency.
Calling the project a “watershed moment” for Kanniyakumari’s socio-economic development, the Chief Minister said its execution would directly benefit the livelihoods of local fishing communities while boosting the regional economy.
Stalin concluded the letter by seeking Sitharaman’s “swift and favourable consideration” to ensure timely funding, which he said would accelerate project execution and provide tangible benefits to rural and coastal communities in Tamil Nadu.
