TN feels doubly disappointed

With no major announcements relating to both general economy and railways, the State feels let down

K. Pandiarajan

While the Union budget laid a lot of emphasis on rural and infrastructure development, it turned out to be a big disappointment for Tamil Nadu with no major State-specific announcements.

This year’s budget was unique in the sense that this was the first time the general budget was being merged with the railway budget. However, the announcements related to railways also turned out to be a disappointment for people in the State, who had huge expectations. The only positives were that there was no hike in passenger fares and that the service charge on ticket booking on IRCTC had been waived.

S. Mohanram, former member, Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee, said the railway budget was a big let-down for the rail users as no new long distance and suburban trains had been introduced.

In fact, in a representation made before the budget, he had pointed to the delay that had come to plague many of the railway projects in the State including the completion of fourth line between Thiruvallur and Arakkonam, the third and fourth tracks between Gummidipoondi and the Moore Market Complex, and the new line project from Jolarpet to Hosur via Krishnagiri.

In a pre- budget meeting, the State had sought a financial package for deep-sea tuna fishing, sanction for an AIIMS-like institute and speedy release of dues which the Centre owes the State on various centrally sponsored schemes, among others. However, none of it find a mention in the budget speech.

‘Waiting to see the fine print’

“I need to see the fine print of the budget. But if the State’s demand are not taken care in the Union budget, then it is a disappointment,” Minister for School Education K Pandiarajan said.

Though the budget mentioned about incentives for electronic manufacturing, there was no indication of lifting of the asset freeze on the Nokia factory.

The only time Tamil Nadu found a mention in the budget document was when reference was made to the sharing of the tax revenues: Tamil Nadu is estimated to get ₹27,223.80 crore as its share of Central taxes.

Mr. Pandiarajan said the State had sought settlement of dues of ₹4,500 crore in one go, and if that had not happened, it would be a major disappointment.

K.E. Raghunathan, President of All India Manufacturers Association, said the budget did not have any specific plans for the revival of sick small- and medium-scale units.