Leader of the Opposition Congress in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah on Tuesday termed the 2010—11 budget presented by Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa as “anti-people” as it burdens common man following hike in VAT rates on various commodities.
The change in VAT rates would fuel further rise in prices, he charged while participating in the debate on budget.
Mr. Yeddyurappa after taking over the finance department has “destroyed” the sanctity of the budget and demolished the fiscal discipline hitherto maintained by the state, Mr. Siddaramaiah, who has distinction of presenting seven budgets as Finance minister, said.
The BJP government has pushed the State into a debt trap and failed to collect taxes, he charged.
The tax buoyancy which was about 4 per cent per annum four years ago has come down drastically to 0.28 per cent this year and there is no financial discipline in the state, Mr. Siddaramaiah alleged.
He demanded withdrawal of hike in VAT.
Keywords: Karnataka, Annual Budget, Congress, BJP, Siddaramaiah,
