Pondy budget with eyes on assembly polls: AIADMK

Opposition AIADMK today said the announcements in the budget, presented by Chief Minister N Rangasamy for fiscal 2015-2016, were all "aimed at pleasing the people and keeping next year Assembly polls in mind."
AIADMK's Deputy Legislature party leader in the assembly A Anbalagan told reporters the Chief Minister had come out with several measures involving hefty expenditure.
"How can the Chief Minister fulfil the promises and assurances given in the budget as the fiscal position of the government is weak?," he asked.
"Already several welfare measures are suffering practical difficulties for implementation what with the government's poor financial position.The announcements to hike the monthly assistance for the aged, the differently abled, destitute women, widows and others are all aimed at pleasing the people and keeping next year Assembly polls in mind," he said.

Meanwhile, CPI-M dropped its plan to stage an agitation near the Assembly on April 24 to seek discontinuation of 'cash for rice' scheme as the Chief Minister announced in the budget yesterday that government would restore supply of ten kg rice and discontinue payment of cash.
Rangasamy had announced free 10 kg rice and five kg wheat per month under the PDS to eligible families replacing the two-month old system of disbursing Rs 300 per family through through banks.

Government had modified the scheme discontinuing supply of 10 kg rice to the families and started disbursing Rs 300 per month to them through banks since March this year.

Local CPI-M unit Secretary R.Rajangam welcomed the government's announcement.
"This is most welcome and is in response to the sustained plea of the CPI (M) that cash payment would bring in lot of problems to the families and that government should restore status quo ante. Now that the scheme had been modified again for supply of rice the CPI (M) had dropped all its agitations," Rajangam said in a statement.