K'taka budget to focus on rural devt, tourism

Udupi, Jan 19 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today hinted that the next State budget would focus on allocation of more funds to key areas like rural development, tourism and farmers.

Addressing a press conference after inaugurating the Rs 45 lakh new building of Government girls PU college here, he said the process of preparing the budget had begun and three rounds of discussions with economic experts had been completed. Discussions with various departments would be completed by the month-end.

Mr Yediyurappa said the joint session of Legislature would begin on January 25 and the same day, the Cabinet expansion would be completed. Appointment of chairmen to various boards and corporations would also be completed soon. Elections to the local bodies would be held next month, he added.

Criticising the Centre for its ''step motherly treatment'' towards Karnataka, the Deputy Chief Minister, holding the Finance portfolio, said when the State had sought Rs 1,750 crore assistance and five lakh MT food grains from the Centre as relief towards drought and flood, the Centre had released only Rs 200 crore.

Referring to the controversy over distribution of eggs to school children under the mid-day meal programme, he said a final decision would be taken in tomorrow's Cabinet meeting.

On the Opposition Congress leaders' demand for a white paper on the financial position of the State, Mr Yediyurappa shot back asking what the Congress had done for the farmers, SC/ST and for rural development while it was in power for several years. ''Let them introspect their performance compared to the performance of the 11-month-old BJP-JD(S) rule.'' About the much opposed Nagarjuna coal-based thermal power plant in the district, he said the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government was not in a position to stop the project now, cleared by the previous Union and State Governments. However, the Government would take all measures to protect the ecology of the region.

UNI