by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Bangalore, Mar 20: Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister B.S. Yediyurappa today presented in the State Assembly the first budget of JD(S)-BJP coalition Government declaring that his Government's mission was to make Karnataka No. 1 State in the country.

Yediyurappa was all smiles as he entered the Assembly Hall carrying a red briefcase accompanied by the Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

When the members, in a lighter vein, wanted to know the reason for his smiling face, Yediyurappa replied: "It is my desire that you too should smile."

The Deputy Chief Minister said that his Government was committed to implement President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's 'Vision Karnataka' which would bring peace, prosperity and satisfaction to every citizen of the State based on the principles of communal harmony and social justice.

Hinting at the administrative reforms, Yediyurappa declared that his Government would take measures to eradicate corruption at every level to provide clean and efficient administration.

Saying that the Government would strive to implement economic reforms, the Deputy Chief Minister promised that the benefits would be transferred to the common man in the society.

He also said that the Government would create investment-friendly atmosphere to boost the economy and create jobs.

Quoting from poet Dr. M. Gopalakrishna Adiga, the Deputy Chief Minister said that his Government's mission was to provide food, clothing and shelter to all.

The budget provides more funds for completion of various irrigation projects, he added.

Highlights

• Loans for farmers at 4 per cent interest.
• Road improvement in each Assembly constituency: Rs. 50 lakh.
• Rs. 82 crore arrears on Bhagya Jyothi and Kuteera Jyothi waived.
• Bhagyalakshmi: 2 girl children in every family to get Rs. 10,000 as fixed deposit (Rs. 234 crore).
• Kittur Chennamma Puraskar for 10 talented PUC girl students in each district.
• Professional courses free for outstanding students (scoring 80 per cent in PUC) from poor families.
• Suvarna Karnataka complexes in Udupi and Madikeri.
• Rs. 40 crore for providing world-class infrastructure at tourists spots.
• Financial assistance to Manasarovar pilgrims: Rs. 25 lakh.
• Yeshaswini Health Scheme extended to all members of co-operative organisations.
• New course on tourism in State Universities: Rs. 5 crore.
• Gen. K.S. Thimayya's house in Madikeri to be preserved as a monument.
• World Kannada Conference in Shimoga this year.
• Rs. 25 crore for rail track doubling from Ramnagar to Mysore.
• 'Suvarna Suraksha' scheme for agriculture labours.
• More high schools, ITIs, first grade colleges.

Sops and taxes

Excise duty on beer hiked from Rs. 4 to 5 per bulk litre.

Uniform excise duty on liquors Rs. 45 per bulk litre.

Tax only on multi-system cable TV operators.

Coffee growers exempted from agricultural income tax. Tax reduced on companies and firms.

Hand-made soap, surgical gloves, cold tar and lab equipments exempted from tax.

Tax on military canteen items reduced from 12.5% to 4%.

JNNURM: Mysore, Bangalore get Rs 730 Crore

Bangalore, Mar 20: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa today announced that the State Government would release Rs. 730 crore during the new financial year for the im-plementation of the ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Presenting the budget for 2006-07 in the Assembly today, Yediyurappa, who also holds Finance portfolio, said that the Government would release Rs. 682 crore for Urban Infrastructure and Rs. 48 crore for basic facilities for poor in Bangalore and Mysore.