Disappionting, directionless Budget: Kerala BJP President

Kochi, Mar 1 (UNI) Kerala BJP President P K Krishnadas today said the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister P Chidambaram yesterday was ''disappointing and directionless'' and had no proposals to revive the crumbling Indian economy.

Speaking to reporters here, he said Mr Chidambaram had admitted quoting the recently-released economic survey that the Indian economy was in a shambles and the agriculture sector was in limbo.

He said the proposal to waive farmers' loans would not benefit all the struggling agriculturists as most of them possessed more than two hectares of land.

''The amount of Rs 65,000 crore was not sufficent and the Budget did not propose anything constructive to revive the agricultural sector,'' he said.

He said majority of the farmers had taken loans from private banks and they would not get the benefit of the waiver proposal.

The Swaminathan Commission Report was also not taken into consideration while drafting proposals for the agriculture sector, he noted.

He said the 35 lakh coconut farmers in Kerala also would suffer as there were chances of reduction in the import duty of palm oil and other edible oils.

The Railway Budget was also disappointing as it totally ignored the demands of the State, Mr Krishnadas said.

He said the party would be taking out rallies to various railway stations in the State to protest against the Centre's indifference towards Kerala.

UNI MA AKJ KP1847