The Hindu
Mangalore, Mar 1: “The waiver of loans is just an election gimmick. It only encourages farmers to borrow even more,” said Sunny D’Souza, district secretary of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, in his reaction to the Union Budget 2008-09, on Friday.
D’Souza said the waiver would provide temporary succour. “The need of the hour is a proper and stable pricing mechanism for farm produce,” he added. William Vas (44), a farmer from Panrangipet village of Batwal Taluk, said: “Instead of waiving loan, the interest on the loan amount should have been waived.”
Industry representatives at the Kanara Chambers of Commerce and Industry reacted favourably to the Budget. They were participating in a live telecast of the presentation, organised by KCCI. In a panel discussion after the presentation Kalbhavi Prakash Rao, former president of KCCI and president of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association, said: “This is a major relief for farmers.” The KCCI members were pleased with increase in the tax slab for personal income tax. Kumble Narasimha Prabhu, president of KCCI, said that the chamber had sent a pre-budget memorandum to the Finance Ministry demanding a hike in the slab. Mr. Prabhu welcomed the reduction in excise duty for vehicles.
Congress hails Budget
Udupi Correspondent reports: The Congress leaders of Udupi district have welcomed the Budget. In a press release issued here on Friday, former MP Vinaykumar Sorake said Mr. Chidambaram had addressed the biggest problem facing small and medium farmers by waiving their loans to the tune of Rs. 60,000 crore till March 31, 2007.
This measure would help more than four crore farmers in the country.
What made the budget farmer friendly was the decision to provide fresh loans to them, he added.
Former MLA U.R. Sabhapathi said that the Budget had given importance to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyana, increased the honorarium to anganwadi workers from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 and anganwadi assistants from Rs. 500 to Rs. 750. “This is a pro-people Budget,” he said in a release.