DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Thursday described the budget as a compilation of notes sent by every department and the announcements of the AIADMK government in the last three months.
“It has more pages, but clearly lacking in schemes and vision,” he said in a statement.
Recalling Ms Jayalalithaa's argument that the hike in stamp duty and registration fee and other taxes was inevitable as the DMK government had left a debt to the tune of Rs 1.1 lakh crore, Mr. Karunanidhi said despite her claim the debt in three months had been projected to increase by another Rs. 17,000 crore.
Mr. Karunanidhi said the budget was silent on the details about the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with a private firm for power generation, the Mullaperiyar Dam issue, uniform syllabus and shifting of Central Institute of Classical Tamil Research and Pâvçntar Classical Tamil Research Library from Fort St George.
“It is not clear whether it was selected after calling for proper tenders,” he said.
“Disappointment”
PMK leader S. Ramadoss said though the incentives to arrest the dropout ratio in schools was a positive gesture, it was a disappointment that there were no concrete proposal to appoint more teachers or upgrade schools.
The State government's plan to create a land bank for industrial purposes would deprive farmers of their livelihood, besides affecting the agricultural production.
CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan welcomed the budget, saying that the State government had sought to fulfil its election promises through the proposals. Though there were schemes to increase the agriculture production and strengthen the irrigation system, there was not any long-term plan to facilitate industrial development.
Besides demanding adequate price for sugarcane and paddy, he urged the government to ensure that schools in the State collected the free prescribed by Justice Ravirajapandian committee. CPI State secretary D. Pandian hailed the budget as a comprehensive effort to enhance the overall productivity of all sectors, particularly agriculture and the small and medium industries.
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam leader Vijayakant said the budget proposals had fulfilled the expectations of his party.
He appreciated the special attention given to the primary sector, including agriculture and industry, with a view to achieving 10 per cent growth. “The economic growth will eventually lead to generation of employment,” he said.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko said while the proposal to promote cotton was totally against the interest of farmers, there was also the announcement to prevent acquisition of agricultural land for real estate. He wondered how the government would achieve food security when it was talking about creation of land bank for industrial purposes.
