Govt cheating people: Khader

Addressing reporters here on Saturday, Khader said that though the BJP government had promised Rs 178 crore for the welfare of minority in the previous budget, it released only Rs 68 crore. “Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has assured that Rs 3,422 crore will be reserved for the rural development. It is a gimmick that nearly Rs 1,750 crore out of the allotment will go to ESCOMs as electricity bills for all Gram Panchayats in the State,” he pointed out.

He said that the budget does not promise any new schemes for the welfare of poor in the State. Moreover, increase in the VAT will be an additonal burden on middle class and poor. “Most of the allotments were made using central government sanctions, he added.

Khader said that the government ignored the Dakshina Kannda district completely while preparing the budget. There was no mention about development projects including Mangala Corniche, Ring Road, Mono Rail and Synthetic Track for the district in the budget. Moreover, funds were not allotted for the welfare of fishermen, labourers and for the development of roads in the district, he said and demanded that the District In-Charge Minister J Krishna Palemar should convene a special meeting in this regard soon. “Minister should demand the government for additonal sanctions for various development works in the district in a supplementary budget,” he emphasised.