Yeddyurappa presents pro-rural, pro-farmer budget

Yeddyurappa presents pro-rural, pro-farmer budget
Bangalore, PTI:
Free power to irrigation pumpsets up to 10 HP from August 1, loans at three per cent interest to farmers, weavers and fishermen, enhanced retirement for government servants and a substantial allocation for development of infrastructure were the highlights of the revised State budget presented by Chief Minister Yeddyurappa on Thursday.

The BJP government in Karnataka today announced free power to irrigation pumpsets (IP) up to 10 HP from August 1 apart from loans at three per cent interest to farmers, weavers and fishermen, to fulfill its pre-election promise.

"Power subsidy, including free power to IP sets up to 10 HP, will rise to Rs 2,050 crore per annum," Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said, presenting the revised budget for 2008-09 in the Assembly.

Yeddyurappa, who also holds the finance portfolio, said 50 lakh small and marginal farmers who are totally dependent on dryland farming would get a one-time benefit of Rs 1,000 per family to buy seeds, fertilizers and other inputs.

Milk producers would get an incentive of Rs 2 per litre, he said, adding that Rs 500 crore has been allocated for an agriculture revolving fund.

Yeddyurappa said an agriculture commission would be formed under the leadership of the chief minister. A special commission to promote organic farming would be set up and also establish a bio-fuel task force.

Other highlights related to agriculture include a comprehensive scheme to restore traditional tanks and ponds, and a programme to protect the source of rivers.
Yeddyurappa also announced that the retirement age of government servants would be enhanced from 58 to 60 years.

He also said a skill commission would be set up and 10 lakh jobs would be created in five years, including one lakh jobs this year.

Moreover, the chief minister promised to set up Karnataka Knowledge and Higher Education Commission along with agriculture universities at Bagalkot and Raichur and a Sanskrit university here. Cyber centres would be set up at gram panchayat level, he said.

Under the revised budget, 37 ITIs will get a sum of Rs 100 crore for infrastructure upgrade, while students availing loans for higher education and "Stree Shakthi" Self Help Groups will get six per cent interest subsidy.

Yeddyurappa also announced Rs 1,800 crore for Bangalore infrastructure development and a Rs 550-crore scheme to provide drinking water to the city from traditional tanks.

The Bengaluru International Airport would get high speed rail connectivity and multi-level vehicle parking facilities would be constructed at 40 places under public-private-partnership, the Chief Minister said.

Yeddyurappa further announced setting up of a Karnataka Maritime Board, Coastal Development Authority, and a Special Task Force to protect the Western Ghats.

All district headquarters would be connected by air and 10 airstrips would be developed in new districts, he said.

An amount of Rs 2,500 crore will be provided to implement the Dr D M Nanjundappa Committee report on redressal of regional "imbalance", Yeddyurappa said, adding that an "information highway' connecting Vidhana Soudha (State Secretariat) with district and taluk level offices would be completed this year.
Yeddyurappa said a garment-centric new textile policy would be formulated by the Government, which would also come out with a new industrial policy.

The government also proposed development of "Suvarna Karnataka Development Corridor", and Rs 10 crore was earmarked to prepare the plan report.

The proposed corridors are: Bidar-Bangalore via Chitradurga, Tumkur-Honnavar via Shimoga, Chitradurga-Mangalore via Udupi and Bangalore-Belgaum via Hubli.

"A global investors meet will be organised in January 2009", the Chief Minister said, adding, a vision group would be established to promote industrial growth.

Yeddyurappa also announced a Rs 700 crore special development scheme for seven city municipal corporations other than Bruhat Bangalore Maha Nagarapalike (BBMP).

The government also proposed a 25 per cent concession bus travel for senior citizens (above 65 years of age).

A sum of Rs 25 crore has been allocated for the World Kannada Meet to be held in Belgaum in December, while construction of "Suvarna Vidhana Soudha" in Belgaum would start shortly.

Mysore Dasara would be celebrated as the state festival, the Chief Minister said, adding, over 90,000 gram panchayat members would get a monthly honorarium.