The Budget presented by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday evoked a mixed reaction in the district.
Prasadraj Kanchan, president of Udupi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI), described the Budget “overall a balanced one”. The Chief Minister has approved a proposal of the UCCI to develop Hejmady fisheries harbour.
“The challenge before Mr. Siddaramaiah is to recover Rs. 5,500 crore which is being spent on his Re. 1 kg per rice scheme,” he said. Kudi Srinivas Bhat, general secretary of Udupi Zilla Krishik Sangha, said the decision to set up an Agricultural Prices Commission to rationalise prices of agricultural produce was a welcome step. Surendranath Shetty, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, MGM College, said Mr. Siddaramaiah’s had tried to woo the backwards classes, minority communities and Dalits (Ahinda) through the Budget ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Udaykumar Shetty, president of district unit of the BJP said that people expected something new from Mr. Siddaramaiah since he had presented seven Budgets. Deviprasad Shetty, President of district unit of Janata Dal (Secular) echoed a similar view and said the Budget did not have anything for the youth and rural development.
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