BENGALURU: The chief minister hopes to get a good vote harvest in 2018 with his move to waive farm loans this Budget. This could also blunt the attack from BJP and JD(S). The Narendra Modi-led Union govern
ment failed to offer any special relief for drought-hit farmers in its recent budget.
The below poverty line (BPL) families, cutting across caste lines, will have reason to celebrate as the quota of rice per person being distributed free of cost is being raised from the present 5kg to 8kg per month. A novel scheme to provide free admission to students of BPL families in higher education is also likely to be announced.
Though Siddaramaiah is said to be keen to see his budget touch the `2 lakh crore mark, the tight resource mobilisation conditions could make it tough. The poll-oriented budget will be a soft one without additional tax burden, except targeting tobacco products, premium liquor and luxury goods and services.