The Tamil Nadu government has moved the Supreme Court by filing a lawsuit asserting that its funds for natural disasters are being withheld by the Centre.
Under the leadership of MK Stalin, the DMK government has invoked Article 131 of the Constitution to file an original suit against the Centre in the Supreme Court.
The Apex Court holds exclusive and original jurisdiction over legal matters between states or between states and the central government or their instrumentalities. The state government has approached the top court to direct the Centre to provide over Rs 37,000 crore in aid for damages caused by recent floods and cyclone Michaung.
In addition to seeking financial assistance of Rs 19,692.69 crore for the damage caused by cyclone Michaung in December last year, the Tamil Nadu government has requested funds amounting to Rs 18,000 crore for losses incurred due to unprecedented rains in the southern districts of the state.
The Karnataka government has recently filed a petition in the top court, alleging that the Centre has failed to provide financial assistance to address the challenges arising from a drought situation. It sought directions for the release of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund.