The Tamil Nadu government is all set to present the budget for the state on Friday. Even as the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections are fast approaching, a number of sops for farmers and industries are expected from the budget this time. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam who also oversees the Finance portfolio will be presenting the 2019- 2020 budget in the Legislative Assembly, starting at 10 am.
In recent months, Tamil Nadu has also been witness to various sections of the government's staff participating in protests and strikes, demanding higher minimum wages even as the state is in the throes of a financial crunch. In an Assembly session earlier this year in January, the Deputy Chief Minister revealed that the state's revenue deficit was expected to touch Rs 23, 921, over Rs 6,000 crore more than the previous year.
The state also witnessed a devastating cyclone in November last year. Cyclone Gaja struck the coastal and delta districts of Tamil Nadu, wreaking heavy damage to life and property.
Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami had met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought Rs 15,000 crore from the central government towards permanent rehabilitation of the affected districts. The state government had also requested the Centre to disburse Rs 1,500 crore towards temporary rehabilitation.
In a populist move earlier this year, the government also distributed a sum of Rs 1,000 to every ration card-holder in the irrespective of income bracket. The move came under scrutiny when the Madras High Court asked the government to alter the bonanza distribution to those Below Poverty Line.(BPL). The plastic ban also came into effect across the state, leaving many industries wondering how to adapt to the new rules.