Budget: No benefits for Chikkamagaluru, say people

Farmers in the district are relieved to some extent, thanks to the farmers’ loan waiver announced by the chief minister in the state budget on Thursday.

The people in general, however, are of opinion that there are no schemes for the district in the budget.

Memo to CM

Elected representatives from the district had recently submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to consider various demands of the people, including a comprehensive irrigation project and sanction of a government medical college. It was also requested to establish a separate milk union for the district.

There were demands to upgrade the Horticulture College in Mudigere to Horticultural University, establish tourism circuit, coffee technology park and a spice park. It was also requested to regularise the lands of agriculturists who have been cultivating crops in government lands.

“But, none of these demands has been considered. The district has been neglected,” elected members from the district said.

Grant of Rs 1 crore was earmarked in the previous budget towards the establishment of a post-graduation centre of Kuvempu University and a mini airport in the district. Also, a mention was made of providing regularising government sites up to 10 acres in favour of coffee growers.

MLC S L Bhojegowda said that the loan waiver would help many farmers. There is scope to implement irrigation projects in the district and related measures will be taken up in the days to come.

‘No vision’

MLA C T Ravi said that the budget lacks vision as far as the overall development of Karnataka is concerned. “The common man is burdened with a tax hike. Promises made in the election manifesto are not fulfilled. Fights will be carried out within and out of the Legislative Assembly, against the double standard of the state government,” he warned.

District Congress Committee President Dr D L Vijayakumar said that the budget is a continuation of the Siddaramaiah budget presented last year.

“The retention of existing programmes is worth appreciation. The budget is a balanced budget,” said the president.

Farmer leader Gurushantappa said that the farmer loan waiver has not been satisfactory enough. “The hike in taxes is not a good development. The budget has drained the pocket of a common man,” he criticised.