TDP dubs Budget as 'complete bogus'

Hyderabad, Feb 16 (UNI) The Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today dubbed the state government's 2008-09 Budget as 'complete bogus' and lacking direction.

Speaking to the mediapersons, TDP Floor Leader D Veerabhadra Rao said ''The government did not mention how the fund resources have been increased during this year to provide allocation for all sectors in the Budget.'' Alleging that the government gave more priority to irrigation projects and INDIRAMMA Housing Schemes, by allocating huge funds to receive 'commissions' from the contractors, Mr Rao said the government did not mention the details of public property allegedly sold to procure funds.

Stating the government had not announced the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural products and waiver of farmers' loans in the Budget, the TDP leader said 'prohibition' and loans taken from the World Bank were not seen in the Budget papers.

Terming the Budget as 'election-oriented', CPI Floor Leader P Nageswara Rao said land distribution to the poor was not included in it.

He alleged the government had collected huge money by selling government property, imposing VAT and Excise Duty on liquor shops.

Claiming the Budget would only help the land grabbers, contractors and officials to earn more money, CPM Floor Leader Ch Siraramulu said it was 'anti-people' and 'magic number.' Pointing out the allocations for the welfare sector had only increased slightly as compared to the last year's Budget, he said the government has succeeded in collecting huge taxes, resulting in the decline of fiscal-deficit.

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