PMK presents annual 'shadow agri Budget'

CHENNAI: PMK, a constituent of NDA which has been critical of BJP's Land Acquisition Act, today presented its annual 'shadow agriculture budget,' proposing a slew of land-reform measures such as suggesting those whose land had been acquired for private projects to be included in the respective companies' Board of Directors.

The S Ramadoss-led PMK presents such 'shadow agriculture budget' every year and comes up with suggestions relating to the primary sector.

PMK's 'plan allocation' for agriculture for 2015-16 is Rs 13,688.20 crore.

The 'shadow budget for 2015-16,' presented by party founder Ramadoss here, suggested, among others, classifying land into different sections, and making it mandatory that only the land, unfit for farming, could be used for industrial purposes.

PMK said in its 'shadow budget' that fertile land should not be acquired for industrial activity.

While compensation should be ten times of the market value of the land, half of it should be provided to the landowners in the form of company's shares, it said, adding, those who had parted with land should be made members of the respective companies' Board of Directors.

PMK also proposed giving boost to 'protein-rich' rabbit meat, and decrease the consumption of beef and mutton as they were high on fat content.