DMK's first Budget on July 22

Chennai, Jun 20 (UNI) The DMK government's first full fledged budget for the year 2006-07 would be presented in the state assembly on July 22.

Assembly secretary M Selvaraj, in a press release here tonight announced that the revised budget for the year 2006-07 would be presented to the House at 1000 hrs on July 22.

For the first time, Mr K Anbazhagan, who hitherto held Education portfolio, would present the budget as Finance Minister. During the three previous DMK regimes, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who held the finance portfolio with him, had presented the budget.

It was initially expected that the budget would be presented during the first week of July so that it was passed by the end of July, till such time, the previous government had obtained vote on account.

Now the budget is being presented during the third week, the government is likely to go for another vote on account for a brief period as the passing of the budget, after discussions on the demands for grants for 62 departments, would take a month's time.

The previous AIADMK government had passed an interim budget in view of the assembly elections held in May and obtained vote on account till July end.

Asked when the government would hold pre-budget consultations with trade and industry, Mr Anbazhagan, in an informal chat with newspersons at Raj Bhavan after Governor's swearing-in ceremony, said ''it depends on when Kalaignar (Mr Karunanidhi) is free to spare time for a meeting.'' UNI WS MP PM2200