Kumaraswamy, Yediyurappa term union budget disappointing

Bangalore, Feb 28 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and his Deputy B S Yediyurappa criticised the Union budget, presented by Finance Minister P Chidambaram today, for failing to suggest concrete steps to check the growing inflation.

''The budget recognises that the inflationary trend in the economy is disturbing, but nothing concrete has been suggested to contain the soaring prices. I am afraid that the common man will be increasingly burdened by higher prices in the coming financial year,'' Mr Kumaraswamy said in a statement here.

On the agricultural sector, there had been lack of imagination and bold measures to help. Even agricultural research support had been limited to only two agricultural universities.

However, the Chief Minister welcomed the extension of the social security scheme coverage under 'Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana', provision of special funds for coffee and rubber, 30 per cent increase in allocation for Bharat Nirman and greater allocation for education and health sectors. He said though outlay for irrigation sector and the target area to be brought under fresh irrigation was disappointing.

Mr Yediyurappa criticised Mr Chidambaram for failing to take specific measures to check growing inflation and bring down interest rates on farm credit.

He came down heavily on the Finance Minister for not increasing the grants to states under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme from the current 33:66 ratio to 50:50 ratio as sought by the state and not announcing any relief to sugarcane growers, who were in distress.

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