BANGALORE: Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda sought vote on account for Rs 35.89 lakh by moving an appropriate bill which was passed by the voice vote in the Assembly. The Assembly passed the budget by voice vote amidst walk out by the Opposition Congress and JD (S) members. Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah condemned the budget, stating that it only created a rosy picture.
Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda asserted that the budget presented by him will ensure all-round development.
“I am surprised that the opposition Congress and JD (S) members have not been able to find even a small positive element by going through the figures,” the CM said, in his detailed reply on the budget discussion in the Assembly on Thursday.
“The Opposition’s charge is that debt is increasing. But the size of the budget — Rs 1 lakh crore — shows that it will not burden the common man. In fact, the debt on each citizen has reduced from 171 per cent in 2005-06 to 115 per cent at present,” Gowda added.
He added that loan repayments has gone up due to prudent financial management. “The per capita expenditure on social sector in our state is much high than that in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Is this not an achievement?” the chief minister said.
However, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said he was unhappy by the reply as it has not focused on the micro-economic aspects.
“The state has obtained loan to the extent of Rs 50,000 crore and we have entered into a debt trap. This is going to be disastrous. I oppose the budget,” he said.
H D Revanna of JD (S) said the budget has no new schemes and only lip-sympathy has been shown to the SC/ST and weaker sections of the society.
CM’s New Budget Proposals
Chief minister’s new announcements at the end of his budget reply.
■ Tyre manufacturing unit in Sullia
■ Establishing Bhovi Development Corporation.
■ Withdrawal of 5 % VAT on bidis
■ Special Secretariat for Backward Classes
■ Rs 2 crore for study into establishing federation for vegetables and fruits
■ KMF dairy at Chikmagalur district
■ Rs 2 crore for Hemophilia Society at Davanagere
■ Sarvajna Authority at Abalur, Hirekerur taluk