Karuna hails setting aside of Rs 500 crore for Lankan Tamils

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today welcomed the announcements made in the Union budget including allocation of Rs 500 crore for rehabilitation of Tamils refugees in Sri Lanka.

"I express my thanks for the allocation of Rs 500 crore towards rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamils as announced earlier by the Prime Minister. The budget placed priority to social justice and would be beneficial to all sections of society," he said.

In a statement here, Karunanidhi lauded the allocation of increased sum to UPA's flagship programme National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and funds for providing amenities to urban poor, among others.

He also welcomed the proposed increase in farm loans and interest-rate cut for farmers repaying loans on time.