Siddu budget evokes mixed response in twin districts

According to Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Mohammed Ameen overall it was a populist Budget. The Rs. 800 crore for industry and commerce is a very small part of the entire Budget, he noted. The focus is not on industry, and a lot of importance is given to agriculture, he added. The extra 0.5 per cent VAT still continues, which is “really bad”, because Karnataka cannot compete with other States.

The Small scale industries should have been treated on par with agriculture as it generates employment and contributes to the export sector, said BA Nazeer, president of the association.

He said the trade licence issue has not been resolved and urged the Government to completely abolish trade licence for small scale industries in the state which has been registered with more than 25 government departments.

The coastal region got bountiful in terms of plenty of budget sops to the fisheries sector including Rs 4 crore for the College of Fisheries. The 44-year-old College of Fisheries in Mangalore too is happy with the bounty. KM Shankar, dean of the college, said: "It is because of the performance and research activities that the college got noticed. The funds will help in improving the infrastructure, particularly buildings, and to develop a farmer training centre, museum and modern aquarium.

Vasudev Boloor, general secretary, Karnataka State Fishermen's Parishad, said: "It seems like the CM has really gone into our demands. We welcome raising the Matsyashraya scheme amount from Rs 60,000 to Rs.1.20 lakh and also tax-free diesel for mechanised motorboats from 1.3 lakh kilo litres to 1.5 lakh kilo litres.

Niren Jain from Kudremukh Wildlife Foundation, said: "We are not telling people should not get water. State should explore alternatives than jumping into this ecologically damaging Nethravathi diversion project first. The sad part is that this project as its comes under drinking water scheme, does not need even Environment Impact Assessment survey. What will be the result of diverting monsoon water on fisheries? Nobody has thought about it, he rued. The Mangalore University (MU), which has 19 Peethas (endowment chairs), has welcomed the decision to set up Ratnakaravarni Peetha at a cost of Rs 1 crore. Ratnakaravarni was a 16th century Kannada poet and writer. TC Shivashankara Murthy, vice-chancellor of MU, said: "The new Peetha will help students to learn about life and literary works of Ratnakaravarni. Soon university will prepare the objectives of this Peetha and submit it to the government."

Udupi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) president Prasadraj Kanchan described the Budget “overall a balanced one”. The Chief Minister has approved a proposal of the UCCI to develop Hejmady fisheries harbor, he said.

“The challenge before Mr. Siddaramaiah is to recover Rs. 5,500 crore which is being spent on his Re. 1 kg per rice scheme,” he said.

Kudi Srinivas Bhat, general secretary of Udupi Zilla Krishik Sangha, said the decision to set up an Agricultural Prices Commission to rationalise prices of agricultural produce was a welcome step.

Surendranath Shetty, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, MGM College, said Mr. Siddaramaiah's had tried to woo the backwards classes, minority communities and Dalits (Ahinda) through the Budget ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Udaykumar Shetty, president of district unit of the BJP said that people expected something new from Mr. Siddaramaiah since he had presented seven Budgets. Deviprasad Shetty, President of district unit of Janata Dal (Secular) echoed a similar view and said the Budget did not have anything for the youth and rural development.