Vinay Kumar
NEW DELHI: DMK president and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin and leader of opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the TVK-led Tamil Nadu government over the Agriculture Budget 2026-27, accusing it of ignoring farmers’ concerns, failing to announce meaningful relief and using the Budget to praise chief minister C Joseph Vijay.In a post on X, M K Stalin alleged that the Agriculture Budget overlooked pressing issues such as drought and crop losses suffered by farmers during the Kuruvai cultivation season.“Instead of addressing drought, the Tamil Nadu Agriculture Budget 2026 was used solely to sing praises and shower the chief minister with flattery,” Stalin said.Targeting the government, he alleged that it had merely renamed existing schemes instead of introducing substantive measures for the farming community.“This government has turned out to be nothing more than another name-changing exercise. Does this government think its job is done simply by sticking the label ‘Victory’ onto its schemes?” he said.Stalin further claimed the Budget had failed to provide any relief to Delta farmers affected by crop losses during the Kuruvai season.“This agricultural budget has proven to be an empty budget, offering nothing to the Delta farmers who have suffered crop losses during the Kuruvai cultivation season and are eagerly waiting for the government’s helping hand,” he said.The DMK chief said his party would continue to raise farmers’ issues during the ongoing Assembly session.“Throughout this Assembly session, our party members will loudly raise the demands of our great farmers,” he said.Echoing similar concerns, Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised the government for allegedly failing to fulfil its promise of a complete farm loan waiver and demanded an all-party meeting on the Cauvery water dispute and the proposed Mekedatu dam project.Speaking outside the Assembly, where DMK legislators wore black shirts in protest ahead of the presentation of the Agriculture Budget, Udhayanidhi alleged that Delta farmers were suffering due to the non-cultivation of the Kuruvai crop and that the Budget had offered no significant relief.“Delta farmers are suffering due to the non-cultivation of the Kuruvai crop. To protest against and express our opposition to this government, we have worn black shirts today. Nothing new was announced in today’s budget. In their election promises, they (TVK) had assured a complete farm loan waiver, but they have implemented only a partial waiver. Today, farmers are demanding a complete loan waiver,” he said.He also criticised the government’s handling of the Cauvery water-sharing dispute and the proposed Mekedatu dam.“Regarding the Mekedatu dam issue, which has become a serious concern, Karnataka has openly stated that it will not release water and has even asked our chief minister not to visit Karnataka. We have been continuously appealing to the chief minister to convene an all-party meeting,” Udhayanidhi said.He added that the DMK had requested the Assembly Speaker to allow a discussion on the Cauvery water dispute and the Mekedatu project during Friday’s Question Hour.“During tomorrow’s Question Hour, we have requested the Speaker to allow a discussion on the Cauvery water issue and the Mekedatu dam issue. At that time, we will speak in detail about the matter. We hope that the Chief Minister will at least speak on this issue tomorrow,” he said.The criticism came hours after Agriculture Minister Vinoth presented the Agriculture Budget 2026-27 in the Assembly, announcing a series of measures aimed at increasing farmers’ income, expanding irrigation, promoting sustainable farming and strengthening crop insurance. The Budget also unveiled a new Rs 600 crore Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission.
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The minister said the Budget had been prepared after consultations with farmers, farmer associations, agribusiness leaders, entrepreneurs and exporters across the state.“This Agriculture Budget has been prepared by giving due consideration to the suggestions, opinions and demands expressed during those consultations,” Vinoth said.Among the key announcements, the government allocated Rs 648.55 crore for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in 2026-27, with the aim of providing crop insurance coverage for 36 lakh acres and benefiting around 15 lakh farmers.
