Chief Minister and AIADMK co-coordinator Edappadi K. Palaniswami welcomed the Union interim Budget, presented in the Parliament by the BJP government on Friday and said it was good overall.
“I sincerely appreciate the Union Finance Minister for having presented a Budget with a mission for 2030 with 10 targets,” Mr. Palaniswami stated and further contended that the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi would enrich the lives of farmers. The announcement of granting an additional 3% interest relaxation for farmers, who make their payment for loans on time and likewise, 2% interest relaxation for those who had taken loans from fisheries and animal husbandry departments and the annoucement of a separate Union Ministry for Fisheries were specific schemes that Mr. Palaniswami commended.
The relaxation in loan interest of 2% to MSME entrepreneurs, the monthly pension to those in unorganised sectors under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan and allotments to the National Education Mission, welfare of Adi Dravidar and tribal communities, health among others deserved commendation, Mr. Palaniswami said. He also welcomed the announcement that individuals earning up to ₹5 lakh a year would be exempted from income tax.
“It is an apt announcement made in the interest of the middle-class,” Mr. Palaniswami added.
Fund allocations for rearing cows, improving rural roads and housing for all were aimed at improving the lives of poor and the downtrodden sections, he said.