Pro-people, pro-farmer, pro-poor Budget: Yeddiyurappa

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddiyurappa hailed the Union Budget as "pro-people, pro-farmer and pro-poor" on Saturday.

"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. The programmes announced for the farming sector compliment the Prime Minister's vision to double the income of farmers," said Yeddiyurappa.

He recognized that agriculture has been discussed in such detail for the first time in the Budget, highlighting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to restore the glory of Indian agricultural system.

"Providing Rs 2.83 lakh 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 farmers' income," he said.

Praising the budget plan to undertake water conservation measures in 100 water stressed districts, constituting one-fifth of the country's area will help farmers in those districts where underground water has been almost exhausted, he said.

Yeddiyurappa welcomed encouraging solar energy production and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan (PM-KUSUM), a scheme to energise pumpsets through solar energy which will benefit over 20 lakh farmers.

According to Yeddiyurappa, skills training schemes announced in the budget will propel small and cottage industries under the micro small and medium enterprises schemes.

He said allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in education sector will boost academic activities in varsities starved of funds across the country.

Thanking Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he hailed her decision to approve Bengaluru suburban rail whose funding up to 40 per cent will be shared by the state and the Centre, with the balance coming from external assistance.

The Finance Minister allocated Rs 18,000 crore for the 148-km-long Bengaluru suburban railway line on Saturday in her Budget speech.

"This will boost the infrastructure facilities in Bengaluru which has turned out to be favourite investment destination for the MNCs. This will help us to eliminate traffic congestion in this investment friendly city," said Yeddiyurappa.

Joining corporates, the chief minister highlighted that measures to eliminate harassment of taxpayers will be a big relief.

He also supported the reduction of income tax rates in almost all slabs.

( With inputs from IANS )