Jaya hails Modi’s ‘comprehensive and inclusive’ roadmap
10 Jun 2014 11:40 PM GMT
The AIADMK chief said, 'The President’s address outlined the policy priorities of the new government very eloquently and with clarity. It has also steered clear of contentious and divisive issues and augurs well for the nation in the coming five years. It has fully recognised the hopes and expectations of the electorate who have voted in this government with a decisive mandate.'
She said that Mukherjee had covered an ‘entire range of key sectors and the important issues facing the nation'. She welcomed the emphasis on improving the lot of the poor. ‘The priority accorded to rural infrastructure is very appropriate and will ensure effective utilisation of funds intended for rural employment generation. The focus on increasing public and private investment in agriculture and water conservation is also timely.'
She added, 'There are some very progressive ideas on education including breaking down the divide between formal education and skill development. The emphasis on sports in holistic education and the National Sports Talent Search Mission are very welcome. We look forward to the new health policy which has been promised. The Swachch Bharat Mission which will seek to provide each household access to a toilet by 2019 on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is a very noble venture. I have set a more ambitious target of Tamil Nadu becoming open defecation free by 2015 and we will redouble our efforts to achieve this challenging goal and look forward to government of India’s support.’
She applauded Mukherjee’s ‘inclusive spirit’ for addressing issues relating to all disadvantaged sections including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Minorities and the specially-abled persons. 'I also welcome the reassertion of commitment to 33 per cent reservation for Women in Parliament and state legislatures. Particularly praiseworthy is the recognition to bring in a spirit of ‘co-operative federalism’ which will restore the federal spirit that had been diluted in the previous decade or so. I look forward to the concrete shape such co-operative federalism would take and using it to further the development agenda of Tamil Nadu. After all it takes strong States to have a strong union,’ said the chief minister.
She went on to say, ‘While I am not opposed to the support the union government gives to specific States, I would only urge the government of India to carefully consider the implications of granting fiscal incentives, especially area based tax exemptions, taking into account the economic activity in neighbouring States. I am happy that the President has indicated that Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be implemented after addressing the concerns of the States. I have already indicated Tamil Nadu’s specific concerns in this regard and expect that they would be fully addressed before GST is ushered in.’
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