Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Feb 2: On Feb 1, the 'Union Budget 2020' which was presented claimed to provide relief to the economic crisis in the country. However, MLC Ivan D’Souza has referred the Budget 2020 as anti-people and anti-farmers stating that the central government neglected the welfare of the people while assigning funds.
Addressing reporters at District Congress office on Sunday, February 2, Ivan said, "Though the population of farmers is around 80 crores among the total population of the country, the union government has not earmarked more funds for the welfare of the farmers. The government had kept around Rs 71,000 crore for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme in the year 2019-20. However, it was reduced to Rs 61,500 crore in this year’s budget. Instead of increasing the amount, Narendra Modi led the union government has reduced the amount for MGNREA. In the automobile sector, the government has kept around 15 per cent less than the amount of the previous budget. By neglecting the welfare of the farmers and financially weaker sections of the society, the union government has proven that it is anti-farmer and anti-people government."
Ivan spoke on a having a separate railway sub-division for Mangaluru. "We have expected that union government would have announced a separate railway sub-division for Mangaluru this time. But, it was disappointing when there was no announcement related to it in the budget. Further, the government failed our expectation when there was neglect towards allocation of funds for the tourism development of Dakshina Kannada which has a lot of potential," the MLC added.
Coming down heavily upon MP Nalin Kumar Kateel for inaugurating Pumpwell flyover hastily, Ivan said that even though Kateel has taken around 13 long years for its completion, around 50 per cent of the work is still pending.
"To silence the voice of the opposition party and its members, Pumpwell flyover was inaugurated it hastily. Despite, there is no proper underpass and service road near flyover and the MP inaugurated it to fulfil his words. Kateel has ignored the safety of the commuters and opened the flyover for public use in a hasty manner. The fact-finding committee of Congress will once again visit Pumpwell flyover and highlight the shortcomings within a few days,” he added.