MANGALORE: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda’s maiden budget, has failed to match the expectations of his native Dakshina Kannada district.
Though the CM had set aside over Rs 276.60 crore for a dozen initiatives in the undivided D-K district, it is the government’s silence in key areas which has left many disappointed. Most importantly, the proposals in the vision document 2020 drafted by Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat at the behest of CM had been ignored.
Four laning of state highways and development of existing roads also found no mention in the budget. Expectations had soared when Gowda at a press meet in Mangalore had promised to compensate arecanut farmers who had suffered due to yellow leaf disease. In extending the subsidy of Rs 5.7 crore under areca rejuvenation programme, the budget has dampened farmer’s expectations.
Deputy Speaker in Legislative Assembly N Yogish Bhat’s proposal to upgrade the planetarium into international standard by releasing an additional Rs 11 crore also found no mention in the budget. The proposed Oceanarium at Pilikula Nisargadhama in Mangalore had no impact on residents who have been hearing for years proposals like aqua marine park, marine biotech park among others.
The demands for higher allocation of funds for SC/ST and emphasis for youth has not been realised.