All sections should be consulted before budget: Ramdoss

Puducherry, Mar 23 (UNI) Pattali Makkal Katchi(PMK) founder-leader S Ramdoss today released a draft budget for the Union Territory for 2008-09 prepared by its leader Prof M Ramadass.

Explaining the salient features of the budget, Dr Ramdoss said the preparation of the budget was no secret, particularly in this era of globalisation .

The process of preparing the budget should be done after holding discussions with all sections of the society, he said.

The PMK had prepared six draft budgets for Tamil Nadu and this is the first one for Puducherry, Dr Ramdoss said, adding an economic survey, action taken report, outcome budget and gender budget should be presented in the house every year.

He said being a small state the development in Puducherry could be very fast and if the administration holds dicussions with other political parties and experts before preparing the budget.

He said the copy of the budget would be submitted to the government and added that the Tamil Nadu government had considered the draft budget presented by the PMK while presenting it in the state Assemby last week.

This is only a suggestion and if considered, it would be better for the Union Territory.

Asked when PMK is expected to present a real budget, Dr Ramdoss said it was up to the people of the union territory. ''If they give us a chance, we would present a much better budget.'' To another question why the PMK was reluctant to come out with their views to find a solution to the present situation of revolt by the ministers against the Chief Minister, he said the government could pull on without the support of PMK and with the support of the DMK alone.

He said the PMK would not join a coalition government here even if invited.

Dr Ramdoss said the PMK volunteers were advised not to consume or sell liquor as they were being monitored.

There should not be any sale of liquor in Puducherry on Sundays and festivals he said, adding the timings of the sale should also be restricted.

On the atrocities on Dalits in Madurai district, forcing the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission, he said it should be curtailed.

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