CHENNAI: The presentation of the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly on Thursday witnessed several unusual scenes, including interventions by the Speaker over deviations from the prepared Budget speech.
As Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay entered the Assembly hall, he walked towards the centre of the House from his seat and greeted leaders of the Opposition with a traditional "Vanakkam."
Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister R Vinoth began by praising the Chief Minister, remarks that were not part of the written Budget speech. DMK members objected, following which Speaker JCD Prabhakar directed the Minister to confine himself to the text of the Budget document, even though he added that only portions that could be considered objectionable would be expunged from Assembly records.
The House also witnessed a change in political symbolism. During the previous DMK regime, ruling party MLAs, including then Agriculture Minister MRK Panneerselvam, wore green shawls during the presentation of the Agriculture Budget to signify their commitment to farmers. On Thursday, however, DMK members wore black shirts in protest against the State government's handling of the Mekedatu dam issue.
At the conclusion of his Budget speech, minister Vinoth again praised the Chief Minister, prompting fresh objections from the DMK. The Speaker once again instructed the Minister to adhere to the written text and assured Opposition members that any remarks made outside the approved Budget speech would be expunged from the Assembly records.
After the presentation of the Agriculture Budget, Chief Minister Vijay congratulated Finance Minister N Marie Wilson and Agriculture Minister R Vinoth for presenting the Revised Budget and the Agriculture Budget over the past two days.