Union budget unrealistic: minister

The Union budget presented on Friday is totally unrealistic and will remain on paper, commented District in-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh.

Reacting to the budget, he pointed out that there were only two months to go for Parliamentary elections and the model code of conduct would come into effect in a month.

“Nothing can be implemented during this period. The budget is a futile attempt by the Centre to fool people,” he charged.

“Even after nearly five years, the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not been able to fulfil farmers’ aspirations and those of the unemployed. What can one expect from the government in two months?” questioned Sa Ra Mahesh.

‘Disappointed’

JD(S) district president Meriyanda Sanket Poovaiah said that the budget had disappointed people. “The budget is pro-capitalist. Other than in taxable income, there is no relief for anyone,” he added.

“The budget has nothing for coffee growers. No compensation was announced for flood victims. The monthly allowance scheme for farmers is a mockery. The budget is BJP’s election manifesto,” Sanket Poovaiah said.

BJP state committee secretary K Manu Muttappa called the budget ‘beneficial to farmers, merchants, working class and small enterprises’. “The common man will benefit,” he remarked.

S M Umashankar, a coffee grower of Shidigalale village in Shanivarasanthe, said that limiting the compensation for farmers to Rs 6,000 per year was disappointing. “The loan waiver scheme is not provided for in the budget, he observed.