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Bangalore
‘More allocation is needed for backward regions’
(Clockwise from top left) Siddalingiah, Puttannaiah G.R. Gopinath and Jaimala
Bangalore: The following are the reactions of a section of society to the budget presented by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Thursday.
“Although the allocation for implementation of the recommendations of the High Power Committee for the Redressal of Regional Imbalance (HPCRRI) has been increased in the budget to Rs. 2,547 crore, people from the backward regions expected more allocation taking into account the inflation rate and cost escalation. The HPCRRI submitted its recommendations in 2002, and the Government started the implementation from 2007. During this gap of five years, the deprivation level has increased by several times, and the cost of material and wages too have witnessed a steep increase.” — Chaya Deogoankar, professor, Gulbarga University
“Increase in allocation to the Kannada and Culture Department has made me happy. The Chief Minister needs to be congratulated for taking an encouraging stand with regard to promoting Kannada literature and culture.”— Siddalingiah, Dalit poet and chairperson of the Kannada Book Authority
“The budget may have a lot in store for the economically weaker sections, yet leaves a lot to be desired. In the face of an economic recession, nothing has been done to improve employment opportunities. The allocations made for infrastructure development are meagre. Industry has nothing to cheer about, and the minor tinkering with of taxes is insubstantial.” — N.N. Upadhyay, president, Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce
“The Bharatiya Janata Party Government has responded positively to a majority of the long-pending demands of the Kannada cinema industry. It could have also considered extending financial help of Rs. 25 lakh for the perspective themes focussing on problems of urban and rural women.” — Jaimala, actor, producer and president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce
“The increase in allocation to universities is a very important factor considering our economy is driven by these knowledge societies. The subsidy for interest on loans is also welcome and will help make professional education more inclusive, but general streams should also benefit similarly.
The focus on ITES and polytechnics is also crucial.” — N.R. Shetty, one-man regulatory committee for admission to professional courses
“The Government has not come out with any measure to decongest Bangalore city, which is more important than improving infrastructure. This budget has become another usual exercise of dividing the cake into slices.” — N.S. Mukunda, president, Citizens’ Action Forum
“Many things promised in the BJP election manifesto have been incorporated in the budget. For instance, a grant of Rs. 1,000 to dry-land farmers might seem like distributing money, but this is recognising that these farmers are not considered for other subsidies in the country. If the proposals on organic farming are implemented, it will be a model for the country.” — R.S. Deshpande, professor, Institute for Social and Economic Change
“The proposal in the budget to build airstrips in 10 districts is a good move. Unemployment and other social problems have crept in because of lack of connectivity, and this move will definitely bridge the gap. Besides helping the Government in effective running of the administrative machinery, the facility will boost tourism and business. Aircraft with up to 50 seats can land on such airstrips that can eventually become airports.” — G.R. Gopinath, Chairman, Deccan Aviation
“The Chief Minister has kept some promises such as free power. But many other demands that we had made, including framing of a separate policy on dry-land farming, have not been met. Even the proposal to give loans to farmers at three per cent does not cover all farmers in the sector.” — Puttannaiah, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha
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