Bangalore, Jan 30 (PTI) : Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today said he would present the 2011-12 budget during the third week of February.

An announcement reducing the interest rate from the existing three per cent to one per cent on agricultural loans was expected to be made in the budget, he said at a function at Pandomatti.

Yeddyurappa, who also looks after the Finance department, said he had been holding budget preparatory meetings with various departments and organisations already.
The budget which would be presented would be a "unique" one, he said, but did not offer details.

The chief minister has decided to advance the presentation of the budget at least by a month, which is normally done during March.

Yeddyurappa, who has been facing heat from opposition parties particularly in the aftermath of Governor H R Bhardwaj according sanction to prosecute him over allegations of corruption in land scams, has however not attributed reasons for opting for an early budget presentation.

He promised Rs five crore grant for construction of Basava Bhavan in Sirigere and Rs 1 crore for a school to be built at Pandomatti.