Political party leaders, including DMK president M.K. Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, have commented on the agriculture budget presented in the Assembly on Thursday by Agriculture Minister R. Vinoth.
M.K. Stalin (DMK): This has ended up being nothing more than another name-change exercise. Does this government think its job is done if it simply slaps a ‘Victory’ label on the DMK government’s schemes? It is an empty budget that offers nothing to Delta farmers, whose kuruvai cultivation has been affected and who are waiting in hope for the government’s helping hand.
The DMK members will raise the farmers’ demands in a loud voice throughout the session. The government must wake up and respond; a solution must be found.
Edappadi K. Palaniswami (AIADMK): There are no new schemes. There is no announcement of a support price of Rs. 3,500 per quintal of paddy or Rs. 4,500 per tonne of sugarcane. There is no announcement regarding TVK promises such as financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 for tenant farmers and an allowance of Rs. 15,000 for sowing stage. The TVK government has also not properly implemented the promise of full waiver of crop loans.
The TTVK government, which has announced the Kudimaramathu scheme implemented during the AIADMK regime under a different name, has also made no announcement about projects such as constructing check dams. A disappointing budget that offers no benefit to farmers and has been presented in a theatrical manner, following the DMK’s style.
Manickam Tagore (Congress): This agriculture budget is an effort to bring technology into the hands of farmers. It not only protects farmers’ livelihoods, but also lays a strong foundation for modern agriculture based on technology, science, and sustainability.
P. Shanmugam (Marxist Communist): The announcements, including an organic farming college in the name of Nammalvar, an announcement to encourage the production and procurement of millets, and a palm conservation movement, are all welcome. It is disappointing that there is no announcement regarding providing electricity connections to farmers who have applied and are waiting. The government must ensure full waiver of crop loans.
M. Veerapandian (Indian Communist): The absence of announcements for a plan to tackle the El Niño impact, a rainwater harvesting plan, a plan to construct check dams, and schemes related to the welfare of agricultural workers is disappointing. The announcement of agricultural engineering training centers in five locations is welcome.
Anbumani (PMK): In the interim agriculture budget presented during the previous DMK regime, an allocation of Rs. 15,167 crore had been made. However, in the current budget, the allocation is Rs. 470 crore less than that, which is disappointing. There is no announcement regarding the promise to provide a procurement price of Rs. 4,500 per quintal for paddy, which is a major disappointment. There are no new announcements.
Premalatha Vijayakant (DMDK): It is a huge disappointment that there is no announcement about the 100-day employment scheme. There are no announcements about the major schemes farmers were expecting. Those who said they would bring change have not brought any change.
G.K. Vasan (TMC): This agricultural budget is highly beneficial to farmers and agriculture. At the same time, the Tamil Nadu government should take into account the farm loan waiver that farmers had expected and fulfill it.
T. Velmurugan (Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi): Although there are many announcements, firm measures that could bring about a change in farmers’ lives have not been included.
M.H. Jawahirullah (Manithaneya Makkal Katchi): Various schemes such as desilting canals in the delta, increasing the irrigated area, and the cotton revival movement are welcome. However, the failure to announce several schemes promised by the TVK has disappointed farmers.