Honourable Speaker Sir,

(A King who safeguards the welfare of his subjects by just and upright rule will be considered a divine being in human form.)

With these memorable words of Saint Tiruvalluvar, which so aptly describe the rule of our sagacious, munificent, visionary leader, the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa, I rise to present the Revised Estimates for 2004-2005 and the Budget Estimates for 2005-2006. I proceed with my task with the blessings of our noble leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa who with firm resolve, true grit, total dedication and crystal clear clarity of action has transformed Tamil Nadu from the abyss of gloom and despair at the end of the rule of the previous Government to a land of prosperity for all, abundant opportunities for its people and powerful growth marching steadily to the Numero Uno position among Indian States.

2. The people of Tamil Nadu gave a resounding mandate to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa in May 2001, to rescue the State from fiscal penury, economic stagnation, insecurity and drift that the State found itself at the end of the rule of the previous Government. Today our leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa has fulfilled this mandate restoring Tamil Nadu to its erstwhile glory, all round development, prosperity and a happy life for its people free from the fear of violence and disorder. Tamil Nadu under the able and dynamic leadership of our leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa has left behind the shackles imposed by the dull, desultory and pusillanimous rule of the previous Government which only led to chaos and misery. It has taken a supreme effort by our leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa to set right the financial position, take Tamil Nadu forward on a new development path and bring peace and prosperity to the people of Tamil Nadu. No one else could have achieved this daunting task in the face of such multiple and complex adversities. The very fact that every Tamilian today can stride purposefully forward, with head held high, is the best tribute that can be paid to our visionary leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa for this outstanding achievement overcoming all obstacles.

3. Hon’ble Members of this House may recall the totally hopeless fiscal position that engulfed the State in May 2001 when this Government assumed office. The very credibility of the Government was shaken with bills not being honoured and development works being suspended. It was virtually an impossible task to rescue the State from the depths to which it had sunk. Hon’ble Members of the House are aware that fiscal reform is not a goal in itself but a necessary means to ensure rapid development providing more employment, improved incomes and better quality of life to the people. When fiscal reforms to ensure rapid development became inescapable, our leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa saw to it that the correction was made quickly and the poor were protected throughout the entire process. It is only in Tamil Nadu starvation deaths were totally prevented. In no other State has such a major fiscal adjustment been achieved in such a short span, while at the same time ensuring that the poor are completely protected from the rigours of fiscal adjustment. The success achieved by our Government in accomplishing fiscal reforms and taking the State back on the road to rapid development and prosperity is only due to the bold, dynamic, steadfast and compassionate leadership of our leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa.

4. Hon’ble Members of the House are aware of the development paralysis caused in several States due to terrorism, insurgency, militancy and extremism, not to mention the incessant break down of law and order for routine reasons. In Tamil Nadu, people are guaranteed safety and security. It is easy to take this for granted. This would be a big mistake as we witness the incidents across the State border. We all have to join in saluting our leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa for the indomitable, courageous, bold and daring leadership which has held the State together keeping at bay all those mischievous and fissiparous forces which always look for an opportunity to tear our social fabric apart. This is what makes our leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa a leader among all leaders, a leader nonpareil, a person of clear conviction, uncompromising stance in the war against terrorism and extremism, meticulous planning, brilliant strategic interventions and firm faith in making the Tamil Nadu Police an effective instrument guarding the citizens from the travails of a soft State. The elimination of the dreaded forest brigand Veerappan and his gang, ridding the State of a murderous menace is an outstanding achievement made possible only by the unwavering and unflinching commitment and action of our leader. No praise would be excessive for the tireless, dedicated service of our leader the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa in protecting and safeguarding the people of Tamil Nadu.

Medium Term Fiscal Plan

The Tamil Nadu Economy

Annual Plan

Twelfth Finance Commission

Tsunami Relief Measures

Police

Prisons

Fire and Rescue Services

Judiciary

Revival of the Primary Sector Agriculture

Irrigation

Co-operative Credit

Animal Husbandry

Fisheries Development and Welfare of the Fishing Community

Environment and Forests

Namadhu Gramam