No sops for govt employees, farmers: DMK

Opposition DMK today said the Tamil Nadu budget presented by Finance Minister O Panneerselvam did not address key aspects including employment.
"It is regrettable that there is no mention of employment generation for youth," Opposition Leader MK Stalin said.
Speaking to reporters after attending the presentation of the revised budget estimates by Panneerselvam, Stalin said not many sops had been announced for government employees, teachers, farmers and milk producers.
He also questioned the status of various announcements made in the previous years, including launching mono rail, special accommodation facilities for senior citizens and establishing a Knowledge Park here.
The state government had not spelt out ways and means to handle the debt situation, he added.

BJP state President Tamilisai Sounderrajan and MDMK founder Vaiko said allocation made to education was not sufficient.

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A report from Coimbatore said trade and industry in the region welcomed the budget and termed it as "balanced".
Thanking the government for giving a tax-free budget and without any hike in existing tax rates, the local chapter of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the budget had focused on taking care and special interest for development of all sectors, aiming at the welfare of the people.
Various steps for continuous drinking water supply to all, announcement for implementation of new scheme for unemployed youth, allotment of Rs 13,800 crore for the energy sector with an urge for Solar Power, allotment of Rs 300 crore in the next one year for maintenance of roads and Rs 2,700 crore to maintain the Highways were welcome steps, D Nandakumar, Chamber President, said.

Stating that the decision to desilt Vaigai and Noyyal rivers at the cost of Rs 24.58 crore would help increase water augmentation for Coimbatore, he said the announcement for provision of fund to Smart City Projects equivalent to the funds of the central government would certainly help Coimbatore which is in the list of Smart Cities.
Tirupur Exporters' Association president, A Sakthivel, in a statement, welcomed the budget and said it addressed the long pending requisition for laying of a four-lane road between Tirupur and Oddanchatram.
The four-laning and strengthening of the 70-km road would help in smooth transition of vehicles and also reduce the time to reach Tuticorin port, mainly used by Tirupur garment exporters, he said.

He lauded the plan to train two lakh youths under Tamil Nadu Skill Development Mission and allocation of Rs 150 crore under it, which was the need of the hour for industries.
Sakthivel also welcomed the continuance of extending 25 per cent Capital Subsidy up to Rs 30 Lakh,besides extending Interest Subvention benefit of three per cent to MSMEs, which he said, would attract new entrepreneurs.