DMK welcomes Union Budget proposals

CHENNAI: Key UPA ally DMK today welcomed the union budget, saying they catered to women, farmers and the downtrodden but noted that no increase in income tax ceiling would bring "some disappointment" to many.


Party chief M Karunanidhi welcomed Finance Minister P Chidambaram allocating over Rs 97,000 crore for women's development, Rs 41,561 crore for SC/ST and Rs 3511 crore for minorites besides those to education sector among others.

"The widely expected increase in income tax ceiling (which has not been announced) will bring some disappointment to many," he said in a statement.

Lauding proposals such as Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, women-only banks and a new port at Tuticorin, he also sought speedy implementation of Sethu Samudram Shipping channel project along with it.

"The Finance Minister's announcement to create separate schemes for women, youth and the poor will give joy," he said.

On the economic survey submitted yesterday, he said if its recommendations on doing away with fuel subsidy and pricing of diesel and LPG on market trends were implemented, it will further burden the common man.

He said one should wait and watch what impact the budget will make on prices of vegetables, edible oils, fish and meat amd pulses as they were on the upswing.

"Amidst an increase in mobile phone users, a six per cent tax has been levied (on handsets priced over Rs 2000.) But for these shortcomings, one can say that this budget is centered around women, farmers and downtrodden," he added.