Many Bills, including those pertaining to land acquisition and compensation, demands for advance grants for 2014-15 and final supplementary statement of expenditure for the current fiscal, were introduced and adopted on the last day of the Budget session of the Assembly.
Ahead of moving the Bills, Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam said the Budget for 2014-15 has been welcomed by various sections of the society. Reacting to the DMK president and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s criticism of the Budget as cotton candy, Mr. Panneerselvam said given its features it was a feast laid for the people.
He drew comparison to various aspects, including growth, power situation and revenue generation, between the AIADMK government and the previous DMK regime.
On the debt burden of the State, he said it was within the norms stipulated by the Centre. Moreover, debt was an important component so long as it was within limit since it helped improve economic growth by creating assets.
There would be no issues with regard to the repayment by the State, he said, while highlighting the tax free budget features, including the emphasis on social sector.
Among the Bills moved by the Finance Minister, were demands for advance grants for 2014-15, final supplementary statement of expenditure for 2013-14, final supplementary statement of further expenditure for 2013-14, Tamil Nadu Appropriation (Vote on Account) 2014, and a bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1967.
The Bill pertaining to the disqualification seeks to introduce an omnibus clause to exempt holders of certain offices of profit under the government, for which no remuneration is paid except compensatory allowance.
The Chennai City Police (Extension of the Cities of Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Tirunelveli) Amendment Bill, 2014 and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Tamil Nadu Amendment Bill), 2014 were among those adopted.
Speaker P. Dhanapal adjourned the State Assembly sine die.
