The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Bangarappa labels budget ‘anti-farmer’

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Saturday, Jul 19, 2008
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Bangarappa labels budget ‘anti-farmer’

Special Correspondent

S. Bangarappa

BANGALORE: The Samajwadi Party State President and Lok Sabha member S. Bangarappa on Friday, said the State Budget (2008-09) presented by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa was “anti-farmer” as it had failed to address the basic needs of the farming community.

Mr. Bangarappa told presspersons here that the Government had not provided a solution to the burning problem of fertilizer shortage. “It is the responsibility of the Government to supply certified seeds and fertilizers to farmers. The Government has accepted defeat by not mentioning a word about the crisis in the budget,” he said.

The Government announced that it would provide financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 a month for families of small and marginal farmers. If seeds and fertilizers are not available in the open market, what should the farmers do with the money, he questioned. “The Government has not come out with measures for preventing farmer suicides,” he said.

‘Not viable’

Mr. Bangarappa termed the budget announcement that free power would be supplied to irrigation pumpsets as a “deceit,” and said the scheme was not viable. The power generation from hydel sources has come down and the Government has no funds to purchase power from the national grid, he said.

He questioned the rationale behind the move to install metres for irrigation pumpsets. “Farmers should prevent officials from installing metres and they should even smash the metres,” he said. It may be recalled that when Mr. Bangarappa was the Chief Minister, he had provided free power supply to irrigation pumpsets.

Mr. Bangarappa said allocation of funds for irrigation, agriculture and power sectors was inadequate and it would affect the farming community . There is no reference to the minor irrigation sector, preparations for drought relief measures, providing incentive price for sugarcane, and programmes for women, youth and senior citizens. Meagre funds have been earmarked for the development of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Minorities and Backward Classes, he said.

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