Budget for 2007-2008, Dt. 23-Mar-2007, Tamil Nadu, India

Speech of Prof. K. Anbazhagan, Minister for Finance, Government of Tamil Nadu, presenting the Budget for 2007-2008 to the Legislative Assembly on 23^rdMarch, 2007.

Hon'ble Speaker Sir,

It is said that a striding lion normally stops and pauses for a while, after looking around and behind, resumes its forward move. Like this characteristic look of a lion, recalling the achievements, plans, programmes and performance of this Government for the last one year and thereby streamlining its onward path and drawing inspirational determination from the immortal kural of Saint Thiruvalluvar

(Who strive with undismayed, unfaltering mind, At length shall leave opposing fate behind.)

this Government places the Budget Estimates for the year 2007-2008 before this august House.

2. This Government is a standing testimony to the ideological unity between DMK and its allies and it takes pride in promising to all sections of the people that it will nurture a society marked by religious harmony and will provide governance deeply committed to secular values, now and always.

3. In the continuing struggle for social justice through reservation, launched by the pioneers of the Dravidian Movement which has been going on over 80 years, although a few battles have been won, it needs to be pointed out with deep regret that even today this war for social justice has not completely been won. This DMK Government will make determined efforts to ensure that the future generations get all their due rights through social justice.

4. In the last 50 years, our nation’s political, social and economic facets and the needs of the working classes have radically changed. This Government will urge the Union Government at every available opportunity about this Government’s view regarding the need to amend the Constitution, given the need to ensure social justice which includes the hard won rights of people belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, minority rights and gender rights; to ensure that true and wholesome federalism prevails and in view of the need for transfer of more powers to the States by reviewing the division of powers between the States and the Union; and due to several other compelling reasons, having regard to the changing needs, while preserving the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.

5. You are all aware of the fact that this Government, which has removed the debt burden of farmers, alleviated the hunger of the poor, protected the welfare of the working class, granted many an assistance to women, restored the benefits of Government employees and thus has marched on with the various schemes benefiting all sections of the society as its foot prints in its winning path; has done not only what it had promised but has also implemented many a scheme which were not promised.

Agriculture and Co-operation

Animal Husbandry

Irrigation

Public Distribution System

Law and Order

Courts

Road Safety

School Education

Libraries

Higher Education

Health and Family Welfare

Industries