Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jul 7: The state budget for the year 2023-24 has garnered both positive and negative reactions from the people and representatives of Udupi district.

Ashok Kumar Kodavoor stated, "The budget emphasizes the implementation of guarantee projects and development programs while maintaining financial discipline. As much as Rs 100 crore has been allocated for agriculture, and great importance has been given to building Bengaluru as a brand. This marks Siddaramaiah's historic 14th budget."

MLA Yaspal Suvarna expressed disappointment, saying, "The Congress government has neglected the coastal region in its 2023-24 state budget. They have increased taxes to implement guarantees, and the development of 224 constituencies has been overlooked. Funding for health, education, public welfare, fisheries, and other developmental activities has been lacking. No new plans have been implemented for the welfare of farmers, fishermen, toddy pluckers, port development, permanent solutions for sea erosion, or employment opportunities for bachelors. The demands for the Narayana Guru Development Corporation and the Bunt's Development Corporation have also been neglected. The budget did not support the new Education policy, goshala for every district scheme, Agniveera scheme, or funds for women's self-help groups brought by the BJP government."

Krishnamurthy Acharya commended the budget, stating, "The budget successfully presents the effort to provide a 'Karnataka Model' administration. It includes an increase in the interest-free loan limit from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lac for coastal women engaged in fishing, providing Rs 50,000 each to replace kerosene engines in fishing boats with petrol/diesel engines. There are also subsidies and an increase in concessional rates of diesel for fishing boats. Furthermore, it includes the distribution of eggs, peanut chikki, or bananas twice a week to students in government-aided schools from 1st to 10th standard. The Congress-led Karnataka government has been working towards development and social justice for centuries. Congratulations to the Siddaramaiah government for presenting a development-oriented budget that fulfills the five promises made to benefit the poor."

Kuilady Suresh Naik, BJP Udupi district president, criticized the budget, stating, "The budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the year 2023-24 is a disappointing election gimmick that disregards the state's interests and pushes it into debt. It lacks any plans for the state's development and relies on fake guarantees announced by the Congress to secure power. The increased vehicle, excise, and stamp taxes in the budget will adversely affect all sections of the population. While opposing the new Education Policy (NEP), the budget hypocritically praises the modernization of the education system and offers free IAS training for minority students. This budget reveals that the state Congress government panders to a single class for vote bank politics and is anti-Hindu, as evident from the increase in monthly payments and grants to Hindu religious centers."