From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 1: Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa has warmly welcomed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s ‘pro-people, pro-farmer and pro-poor’ budget for the financial year 2020-21.

In his reaction to the budget presented in Lok Sabha on Saturday, February 1, the chief minister congratulated both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman for giving such a pro-people budget.

“For the first time in the history of the country, priority has been given to farmers, poor and rural areas. This is a boon to the farmers,’’ he said.

The programmes announced for the farming sector compliment the Prime Minister’s vision to double the income of farmers.

The Union Government has discussed about agriculture in detail in the budget for the first time, which meant “the Prime minister has decided to restore the glory of our Indian agriculture system,’’ he said.

Yediyurappa said earmarking Rs 2 lac 83 thousand crore to agriculture sector is a major deviation from the routine budgetary allocations.

Kisan Rail and Kisan Udan will facilitate speedy transportation and export of perishable agriculture products and this in turn will boost the income of farmers and give a tremendous fillip to agricultural sector, he said.

The Chief Minister said the water conservation measures in 100 water stressed districts, which form one fifth of the country area will help the farmers in water starved districts where underground water has almost exhausted.

Encouraging production of solar energy and PM-KUSUM, the scheme of energizing pump sets through solar energy will help more than 20 lakh farmers. Implementation of scheme to provide skill training in ‘Desi skills’ will boost the small and cottage industries under MSME scheme, he said.

Allowing FDI (Foreign direct investment) in education sector will boost academic activities in fund starved universities all over the country. This is a good step to improve quality of education in the country.

“I also thank the finance minister and Centre for giving approval for Suburban Rail system for Bengaluru, in which the Centre and State will share 40 percent equity and 60 percent from external assistance,’’ the Chief Minister said.

He felt it will boost the infrastructure facilities in Bengaluru which has turned to be favorite investment destination for the MNCs.

“This will help us to eliminate traffic congestion in this investment friendly city,’’ he said.

He also appreciated the initiative for coming out with Tax payers’ chart and said it will be a great step in eliminating harassment tax payers.

Reduction in individual tax and corporate tax and simplification of tax system is a great relief, he added.