Date:24/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/24/stories/2006072416690800.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

No scheme for uneducated rural youth in budget, says Vijayakant

Special Correspondent

"Plan to form a few self-help groups inadequate to solve unemployment" "Plan to form a few self-help groups inadequate to solve unemployment"

CHENNAI: Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) president Vijayakant on Sunday lamented that the State Budget did not propose any scheme to provide funds for uneducated rural youth, who came forward with plans to float industrial ventures.

In a statement here, he said the Government's plan to form a few self-help groups for youth would be inadequate to solve the unemployment problem. He accused the Government of failing to make use of youth power in ensuring the State's progress.

Stating that the farm sector was reeling under crises, Mr. Vijayakant said loan waivers and low interest rates on farm loans would not provide permanent relief for agriculturists, who suffered from debt burden. Setting up of three terminal markets would serve only a limited purpose.

The sector could be developed only by providing remunerative price for farmers' produces.

However, he welcomed the announcements to protect the interests of Government employees, teachers, traders, industrialists, farm workers, handloom weavers and fishermen.