DC debate: Karnataka state Budget
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CM has not focused on all sectors
S. Subramanya, Advisor, JD(S)
The state Budget presented by Chief Minister S. Siddaramaiah has sacrificed growth for equity. Basically the Budget should be growth oriented as only this can help the government achieve inclusive growth in the long run. But the state Budget has neglected this and placed more stress on AHINDA which is not wise.
I feel the Chief Minister should have focused more on ensuring growth in all sectors. For example, he claims that agriculture has been given more importance, but there is no reference at all to subsidy for urea.
Had he announced a Rs 2,000 or Rs 1,000 subsidy on urea it would have helped the farmers who are cultivating 67 lakh hectares across the state. The absence of such a plan can only adversely impact agricultural production. This year the agricultural sector may see some growth thanks to the good rains, but not due to any support from the government.
The same goes for the industrial sector. The CM wants robust industrial growth, but there is no financial allocation for industries.
This despite the fact that if new industries come up and industrial production increases, the state will earn more tax and see greater growth. More youth will get employment and the state will become prosperous. But the government has not chosen to take this approach.
— The writer is advisor, JD(S)
Focus is not on AHINDA groups
S.R. Keshava, Professor of Economics, Bangalore University
It is absolutely wrong to say that this is as an AHINDA Budget. Basically Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has a very short time to implement the Budget and has presented what is more like a revised estimate. He didn’t have the freedom to come out with full-fledged planning.
Most of the allocations were very similar to those made by the previous budget presented by former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar. There are only a few modifications. More importance has been given to education, rural development and agriculture and no sign of the so called stress given to AHINDA groups.
The previous Budget had set aside around Rs 200 crore for maths, but this time they have received no funds. Instead Rs 120 crore has been allotted for community developmental activities like starting of new schools and hostels. At the end of the day all these activities will lead to inclusive development which is the goal of every elected government of this country.
Under the SC/ST special plan, the government must keep a specific percentage of money for the development of SC/ST communities. It is mandatory, which is why the CM has allocated the money he has.
This too will help the government reach the goal of inclusive growth. Considering all this it is simply not right to label this a AHINDA budget. It is in fact a Budget aimed at the welfare of society as a whole.
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