TN budget: Action and reactions

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Jayakumar has presented a tax-free Budget while focusing more on the schemes announced during Jayalalithaa's tenure as Chief Minister.

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu hit out at AIADMK government's budget saying it projected high debt burden and was 'devoid' of new schemes.

DMK also slammed Finance Minister D Jayakumar for placing the budget papers at the memorial of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa before its presentation in the state assembly, saying he had violated House norms.

DMK Working President and Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, M K Stalin, said the first budget of the Edappadi K Palaniswami government did not spell out any new schemes, especially in power generation. There was also not any announcement on farm loan waiver, he told reporters in Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Pradesh Congress Committee (TNCC) president S Thirunavukkarasar said, “With unemployment count reaching one crore, mere increment in monthly aid to unemployed youth was not going to help in the longer run.”

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Tamilisai Soundararajan ridiculed the government’s claim that this was a tax-free budget.

“By increasing VAT on petroleum products and the price of milk, bus fare beforehand, the burden was already on the people.”

CPI(M) State Secretary G Ramakrishnan said the budget "showed," that Tamil Nadu was moving towards a severe financial crunch. CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan described the budget as a "ritual."

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder Vijayakanth said while last year’s budget announcements were still on paper, the government should focus more on implementation.

PMK chief S Ramadoss dismissed the budget as "nothing" and said it had increased the debt burden. "AIADMK, which came to power claiming that it will catapult Tamil Nadu to the numero uno position is only taking forward the State in debt growth," he charged.

MDMK general secretary Vaiko welcomed various announcements including Kancheepuram medi park and food product clusters. However, he expressed disappointment over no announcement on release of arrears to sugarcane farmers.