State budget for 2017-18 hopeless for agrarian community: KRRS

The state budget for 2017-18 presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, received flak from farmer leaders and BJP leaders but found favour with Congress leaders, who hailed it as a comprehensive and pro-people.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Hasiru Sene general secretary Badagalapur Nagendra described the budget as ‘hopeless’. “Farmers had hoped that the Chief Minister would announce waiver of agriculture loans but were disappointed. The budget has no development programmes for farmers. A large number of farmers across the state are struggling and are committing suicide. We had expected that the chief minister would announce a loan waiver but the budget has left farmers in dire straits. Though the chief Minister has announced a loan of Rs 10 lakh at 3% interest, it will not help farmers. The budget is in favour of urban people,” he said.

Mysuru city (district) BJP president Dr B H Manjunath said that Siddaramaiah’s budget was aimed at garnering votes for elections as it was full of appeasement. “Farmers were expecting a loan waiver but the Chief Minister has failed them. There are no positive aspects in the budget for the farming community,” he said.

Dr Manjunath said, “Whenever the chief minister speaks about development activities, he points fingers at Central government. Instead of waiving debts, Siddaramaiah has decided to provide farmers with more loans and make them debtors forever.”

As the state government is burdened with a loan of over Rs 1 lakh crore, the Budget does not provide any recourse for repayments. The surplus budget at this point will only adversely affect the economy of the state, he said.

Congress leaders, however, came out in support of Siddaramaiah. “The budget is pro-people. The chief minister has focussed on the overall development of the state. He has presented the budget which has got something for farmers, students, industries, women empowerment, rural development, among others,” said Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL) Chairman H A Venkatesh.

“At a time when people are distressed due to the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes by the Union government, Siddaramaiah has announced a series of programmes for the development of backward classes and has also announced schemes for the agricultural sector. He has also allocated a considerable amount for supporting the farming community. The budget is comprehensive,” he said.

MLA and Mysore Industries Association (MIA) president Vasu said that the Budget is industry-friendly and provides huge opportunities for women, youth and backward class people. “Allocation of Rs 2,250 crore and loan up to Rs 2 crore at 4% interest rate for women entrepreneurs is a boon for the industries sector,” he said.