AIADMK allies hail budget as progressive

CHENNAI: The allies of the ruling AIADMK, the DMDK, the CPI(M) and the CPI, besides others, have hailed the budget as progressive.Leader of the opposition and DMDK president Vijayakant praised the budget for its schemes aimed at eradicating poverty. “Every family below the poverty line will be directly benefited from the anti-poverty scheme, the government has said. It has also promised full support till BPL families come out of impoverishment. This is a welcome measure.”Unlike the previous DMK regime, which was below the national average in economic growth, the AIADMK government has pegged the growth rate at over 10 per cent. Special schemes are being lined up to achieve the goal. “Job opportunities will soar with a buoyant economy. The budget has followed the ideal of leader Arignar Anna that a progressive government’s goal should be ‘tax to the haves and provide amenities to the poor’. Our party welcomes it.”CPM State Secretary G Ramakrishnan hailed the several measures aimed at increasing the food production to 111 lakh metric ton, including seed subsidy of Rs 85 crore. “The government should have announced reasonable rates for farm produce like paddy and sugarcane.” The incentive to students to arrest drop outs, setting up of a national law school, besides two veterinary colleges, will play a significant role in the improvement of higher education, he said.CPI State Secretary D Pandian welcomed the budget saying it had many welcome features. “The State government has devoted attention to protecting and increasing production from agriculture, small, medium and micro industries. Schemes to end electricity shortage including solar and wind power projects, environment-friendly measures are all welcome.”Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and India Kudiyarasu Katchi were among others who welcomed the budget.