People betrayed by Bihar budget : Rabri

Patna, Mar 01 (UNI) Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi today alleged that the state budget for 2006-07 was silent on the issue of development of the poor, farmers and members of the scheduled castes, backward and minority classes.

Talking to newsmen here, Ms Devi, also Leader of Opposition, said the budget had betrayed the common people by not taking any initiative for their economic growth.

Ms Devi said the Central funds were the cornerstone of the budget failing to reflect any new initiative of the NDA government or freshness. She alleged that the plan size of the state was increased by the generous UPA government, observing that the proposals of the budget had the potential of pushing the state into the debt trap.

The former Chief Minister said the NDA government had even "betrayed" the trust of businessmen notwithstanding lofty proposals made for them in the budget. She also ridiculed allocation of a paltry Rs 50 crore for the Chief Minister Setu Nirman Yojna.

She said her government had also announced for appointment of 2,500 police Sub-Inspectors and 10,000 constables and the Nitish Kumar government was not making any fresh proposal.

UNI/DH SJC/SRC1717