No Reels, Look Into Real Issues: CM Tells Colleagues

Urging his ministerial colleagues to refrain from uploading reels in social media to send across messages to the people, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay wanted them to be prepared to answer any question on the State Budget that might be raised after its presentation in the Assembly in the first week of August.

After reviewing the preparations made by the various departments towards the first annual Budget presentation of the TVK government with the officials and Cabinet colleagues at the Secretariat on Thursday, Vijay also had a separate meeting with the all Ministers when he warned them of stringent action, including summary expulsion, if charges of corruption or bribery or graft were proved against them.

The entire Cabinet was present at the meeting in which the Chief Minister said that there should be absolute transparency in the functioning of the Government departments since the people wanted it that way and also reportedly sanctioned funds for a few projects for some departments like the purchase of new buses.

While the media was not allowed any access to the proceedings of the meeting, speculations are abound over the possible announcements that might possibly be made along with the Budget since the TVK government is bound to implement schemes to honour the diverse promises made during the elections.

One of the major promises was the raising of the women’s assistance to Rs 2500 a month. Since there has been no announcement so far on the matter, many believe that they could be made along with the Budget since it involved increased financial outflow for the government.

Another issue that lacks clarity is the State government’s response to the changes proposed by the Union Government to the MGNREGA, including the name of the rural employment scheme. Some expect the State government to reveal its stand through the budget announcements.

Also the impact of the scorching heat wave that is affecting productivity in the State has not yet been addressed through schemes to counter its impact on the people and the economy and some expect the Budget to come up with schemes to address the issue.