The Union Budget of the Congress led government, which is a huge disappointment for the common man and for Tamil Nadu in particular as there has been no substantial financial outlay earmarked for the State, said K. Krishnasamy, President Puthiya Tamilagam.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, the PT leader flayed both the Union Budget and Railway Budget claiming that southern part of Tamil Nadu has again been neglected. He cited that Villupuram to Kanyakumari double rail line, electrification and separate track for goods train have not at all been considered.

Dr. Krishnasamy said that the party would hold protests against the Central government in Coimbatore and Chennai on July 16 and 22 respectively.

Allocation of funds have been increased for the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme but the problem lies in distribution of wages to the workers as the existing wage of Rs. 80 has not been given properly and in many villages there are reports that only Rs. 30 or 40 is given, he alleged. Centre should establish monitoring committees to look into the distribution of wages.

NREGS would not change the economic infrastructure of the rural populace and only the implementation of Land Ceiling Act and creation of self-employment opportunities would serve the purpose, he added.

Stating that the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections were not a democratically conducted one and it was all money power which played a major role. This should be curbed early otherwise the pillars of democracy would get ruined,he alleged. PT would be conducting a rally and conference in Tirunelveli on July 23 to mark the 10th anniversary of Tamiraparani Tragedy where 17 people died.