Mixed reaction from Tamil Nadu leaders

‘Modi seems to have passed the test’: 

DMK leader M Karunanidhi, staying non-critical of the Union Budget, on Monday said the success of the budget can be gauged only based on the outcome of the schemes announced. “Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the budget is a test for himself. Even though it can’t be said now whether he has scored full marks, looks like he has passed the test,” he said.

DMDK president Vijayakanth expressed mixed feelings while reacting to the Union Budget. He said, “It has given importance to agriculture by allocating Rs 35,984 crore and launching online market for agricultural products. The other appreciable initiatives are allocating Rs 2,21,000 crore for national infrastructure development, special insurance for senior citizens of rural areas with Rs 1 lakh coverage, tax exemption upto Rs 2 crore for small and medium entrepreneurs, electrification for all villages.”

However, he said the budget does not align with the recent announcement by the Prime Minister to double farmers’ income. “There is no mention of any special scheme for farmers such as direct procurement of agro products by the government, fixing appropriate support price, crop loss compensation etc., which is disappointing. Also, there is no announcement about interlinking of national rivers, no action plan on speeding up of retrieving black money and no information on increase in TDS for personal income tax,” he said.

TMK leader G K Vasan has said that the Union Budget 2016-17 has no impetus for development. “It is disappointing that there is no waiver of loans for the most affected farming community. Direct transfer of fertiliser subsidy has been announced at selected districts, but it is unclear whether it would be expanded to all regions. There is no subsidy for seeds and pesticides,” Vasan said. 

Increase in excise duty for diesel vehicles would lead to hike in transportation cost which indirectly push inflation of essential goods, he said. According to Vasan, the allocation of funds for MGNREGA is low and there is no mention of expanding the scheme. 

“FDI in agro, food sectors would lead to negative impact on traders and workers. There is no specific scheme to increase employment opportunities for graduates and trained youths as availability of manpower is the important resource of the country,” Vasan explained.

Lauding Arun Jaitley for giving more importance to education, sanitation and agriculture, PMK leader Ramadoss has said the Union Budget has met the demands of his party on those arenas. “There are many initiatives for the welfare of farmers, but they won’t be enough to double the their income in the next five years. The government should focus on implementing the pending project along with the new ones,” he said.  

He expressed delight over announcements on subsidised medicines and dialysis units at all district hospitals and said the increased allocation funds to education and sanitation sectors upto Rs 1,51,581 crore won’t be sufficient.

MDMK leader Vaiko on Monday said the Union Budget doesn’t contain anything, but is a rehashed version of Finance Minister earlier two budget presentation. “In the last 13 years, two and half lakh farmers have committed suicide and it continues in Modi’s regime too. What initiatives has been taken to stop this,” he questioned?