Budget is a damp squib, says BJP MLA Raghupati Bhat

There has been mixed response to State Budget for 2019-20 presented by Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, here on Friday.

Srikrishnarao Kodancha, president of Udupi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that it was a disappointing budget as it had little to give fillip to industry. There was nothing substantial for Udupi district expect for the ₹ 15 crore grant for construction of a fisheries jetty with a solid waste treatment plant and sanitation facilities at Malpe Fisheries Harbour here.

Though Udupi district produces hundreds of educated youth, there was nothing to provide jobs to them, he said.

Satyanarayana Udupa Japti, general secretary of district unit of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, said that it was a “pro-farmer budget”. The proposal to provide an assistance of ₹ 7,500 per hectare for paddy cultivation to farmers in Malnad and Coastal districts was welcome. The grant of ₹ 40 crore for zero-budget farming scheme and ₹ 35 crore for organic farming scheme too were positive moves, he said.

K. Raghupati Bhat, Udupi MLA and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leader, said that the budget had little for the Coastal districts. Though a grant of ₹ 50 crore was sought for the rejuvenation of Brahmavar Sugar Factory, the budget had given nothing.

Except for fisheries jetty in Malpe and ₹ 40 crore for rejuvenation of lakes, the budget was a damp squib, he said.

Yogish Shetty, president of the district unit of Janata Dal (Secular), said that the budget would give a fillip to agriculture and irrigation. The increase in incentive for dairy farmers was a welcome move. The assistance of 50 % of subsidy for installation of ISRO-authorised DAT equipment on fishing boats was a positive step, he said.

Janardhan Tonse, president of the district Congress, said that the budget was pro-people and pro-agriculture. It emphasised on development of basic infrastructure. The grant of ₹ 1 crore for a special programme to promote films in Tulu, Kodava and Konkani was welcome, he said.