CPI(M) protests state and central budgets

Addressing the protesters, in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner in Mangalore, CPM Dakshina Kannada District Committee Secretary B Madhava said that the State government, which had created an illusion about a massive budget of Rs one lakh crore earmarked only a meagre amount of Rs 301 crore towards drought relief for 123 taluks of the State.

“This allocation when divided among the drought-hit taluks, each taluk will get not more than Rs 1.5 crore. With this small allocation for such a major issue of concern in the State, the Government has set aside Rs 394 crore for welfare and development of various temples and Mutts, which is ridiculous,” Madhava opined and pointed that in the Rs one lakh budget, the State has allocated a romping Rs 2,000 crore for promotion of industrial investment, which again is a paradox.

Recalling the 2008 election manifesto of BJP, where the party had promised to give one kg rice at Rs two to poor families, Madhava said that the Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda could have implemented the same in the budget, but he did not.

“In the name of Agriculture Budget, the Government has earmarked considerably good amount but this is not reaching the genuine and eligible farmers. It is noticed that though Investors' Meets are being held in the state, the industrial production is depleting. There are only publicity and avertisements going on in the name of agricultral and industrial development,” he said.

With regard to Central budget, he said that there has been a hike in excise tax and some other subsidies, which has led to price hike. The slash in percentage of Employees' Provident Fund from 9.5 per cent to 8.25 per cent in the budget shows that the Centre has no concern for the working class.

CPM Leaders Balakrishna Shetty, Yadav Shetty, CITU leader Vasanth Achari, DYFI District President Muneer Katipalla among others were present.

Udupi

Udupi Taluk unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged protest at clock tower near service bus stop against budget proposals, here on Thursday.Speaking on the occasion CPI (M) Secretary Vishwanath Rai accused that Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has presented a budget that is totally against the interest of common man.

In the one lakh budget, mere 301 crores has been allotted to as many as 123 drought hit taluks in 24 districts.

He alleged in contrast to this CM has announced as many as Rs 394 crores of funds to various religious mutts and temples across state.

He said both central government and state governments are following anti people policies. State government is supporting middlemen and contractors to make profits by outsourcing as many as 1.80 lakhs posts in various government sectors. It is not taking any measures to make permanent recruitments, he added.

Rai alleged that there is drastic downfall in the productiveness of agriculture and industrial sectors owing to despotic rule of BJP led government in state. Besides both central and state government have embraced neo-liberalised economic policies that have resulted in price hike of essential commodities.

Central government is also compromising with the nation's security there by helping out private companies to gain profit in defense productions, he accused.