Chennai, Aug. 15 -- Slamming the BJP-led government at the Centre for denying due funds under various schemes to Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M K Stalin today said time has come to protect the state's powers--both politically and legally.

In his Independence Day address after hoisting the National Flag at the ramparts of Fort St George and after presenting various awards including the Kalpana Chawla award for bravery and former President APJ Abdul Kalam award to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, the Chief Minister called for political and legal measures to reinforce the state governments in the distribution of powers and financial resources.

Citing increasing dependence on the Union due to central laws, court ruling and alleged bias in allocatio...