Saluting our most dynamic and visionary leader, the Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa, I rise to present the Revised Estimates for 2005-2006 and the Interim Budget Estimates for 2006-2007. I would like to begin by paying my tribute to the extraordinary resolve, courage and sagacity with which our Hon’ble Chief Minister has ably guided the public finances of Tamil Nadu during the past five years and translated the hopes and aspirations of the people into reality.

2. Hon’ble Members may recall the extremely precarious fiscal situation and development muddle bequeathed to this Government when it assumed office in May 2001. With public finances of the State in complete disarray and development pushed out of the governance agenda, this Government had to shoulder the onerous task of restoring fiscal balance and putting Tamil Nadu back on the highroad of development.

3. I present this Interim Budget with a sense of immense satisfaction. This Government, under the astute leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, has more than fulfilled the mandate given by the people of Tamil Nadu five years ago. Law and order, which is the bedrock for planned and inclusive development, has been perfectly maintained. The spectacular fiscal turnaround achieved by this Government in a short span of time without compromising the interests of the poor is without a parallel in the country. This Government has brought back development issues, people’s welfare and the need to prudently manage public finances to the core of the governance agenda. The Hon’ble Chief Minister has matched promise with performance, reached out to the people by providing caring and effective governance and put the State on the path of sustainable growth and development. This is especially significant in the backdrop of three successive years of drought followed by a devastating Tsunami in 2004 and thereafter by the ravaging floods of 2005. Tamil Nadu’s return to the path of growth with equity would not have been possible without the clear conviction, steadfast commitment and resolute action displayed by our Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi J Jayalalithaa. As Tamil Nadu strides ahead with unmistakable confidence to occupy the numero uno position among the Indian States, the overwhelming faith reposed by the people in this Government stands vindicated.

4. This Government is going to successfully complete its full term in office in May 2006. In keeping with the traditions of parliamentary democracy, an Interim Budget for 2006-2007 is being presented. A Vote-on-Account will be obtained based on the Interim Budget 2006-2007. The main Budget will be presented after the new Thirteenth Legislative Assembly has been constituted.