State budget gets mixed response in DK district

The state budget presented by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has evoked a mixed response in Mangaluru.

While a few people termed it as a “balanced budget”, others considered it “disappointing”. Some said that the budget had failed to offer major projects for the comprehensive development of Dakshina Kannada district.

Terming the budget ‘balanced’, CPI district secretary V Kukyan said: “The budget has given thrust to agriculture and earmarked funds for crop loan waiver. It fulfils the government’s election promise.”

He welcomed the increase in honorarium for Anganwadi and Asha workers. All projects proposed in the budget should be implemented effectively, he stressed.

The former member of Karnataka State Planning Board and Professor of Economics at the MBA department of Alva’s College Prof G V Joshi said: “The positive development in the budget is that it has earmarked a considerable amount for agriculture and allied activities. The agriculture sector needs huge investment. The budget lacks planning as it has only proposed temporary measures to tackle drought. Long term planning is needed for drought-hit taluks. Insufficient amounts are set aside for the promotion of tourism in coastal districts. The promotion of tourism will benefit the economy of the entire state,” he observed.

KCCI President Abdul Hamid termed the budget as ‘pro-development and green budget’. “It is a green budget as it lays stress on agriculture, allied activities and promotion of organic farming,” he noted.

District JD(S) president Mohammed Kunhi said: “Despite JD(S) not having MLAs in the coastal belt, the budget has not neglected coastal districts. Incentives for paddy growers in the coastal belt, hike in incentives for milk producers will benefit the region. The budget has also proposed a feasibility study for metro rail in Mangaluru,” he observed.

District BJP vice-president Ravishankar Mijar said that the budget had no concrete plans for DK district. “It was presented keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls,” he criticised.

Tulu film producer Vijaya Kumar Shetty opined: “It is a good move by the government to promote regional language movies by earmarking Rs 1 crore. At present, only four regional movies get subsidies. As there is an increase in the number of regional language movies, subsidy should be increased to at least 25 regional movies,” he remarked.

Fishermen leader Nithin Kumar welcomed the continuation of diesel subsidy for fishermen.

He also welcomed the 50% subsidy for installation of ISRO- authorised DAT equipment in fishing boats with a grant of Rs 3 crore.

SDPI president Mohammed Thumbe felt that the state budget had neglected the Ahinda community.