UT Khader slams Bommai's budget, terms it "reverse gear budget"
Mangaluru: Deputy Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader on Saturday termed the CM Bommai’s annual budget as “Reverse gear budget” adding that it will take the economy of the state backward.
Speaking at the press meet today, U T Khader slammed Bommai for his "hit and run" budget and said that the government's sole revenue comes from its debts and liquor industry.
"With the enormous debt of Rs. 72 thousand crores, an approximation of Rs 29 thousand crores of revenue is collected from excise duty. As much as 1.01 lakh crore of revenue is generated from debt and liquor", he pointed out.
"No investor is likely to come up when the government itself functions on revenue deficits", he added.
Acknowledging CM's expertise in the field of irrigation, he highlighted the Karnataka Irrigation Department's debt of Rs17 thousand crore, wherein an amount of Rs 26 thousand crores is issued in the budget and argued whether a mere sum of Rs 9 lakh crore is enough to actualize the department's initiatives.
He appreciated the government's move in allocating Rs 5lakh crore for the Krishna Meldande Project and said that the amount of Rs 1 thousand crore, set aside for Mekedaatu and Mahadayi projects are the fruits of the labors of several activists and protestors.
Pointing out the government's indifference with regard to uplifting those who are severely affected by Covid-19, he said "the current budget has disregarded the needs of the working class and the destitute", and added that "the government has failed to keep up its promise regarding the construction of 5 lakh homes for the labor class. Until now, not a single house has been built. When the Congress government was in power, as much as 1 lakh houses were built in the course of 1 year".
He criticized the government's decision to build Narayana Guru Residential Schools while noting its recent rejection of Narayana Guru Tableau.
He underscored CM's negligence regarding the needs of the people of Coastal Karnataka and said that no focus has been given to the fishermen, areca nut growers, and others.
"What is the use of allotting money for 100 container ships, while the government has failed to give money to build homes for our fishermen?" he questioned.
"The government is politically, economically disabled", he said.
Further, he advised the government to first work on social and communal harmony, before venturing into economic reforms.
Congress leaders Ibrahim Kodijal, Mamata Gatty, Shahul Hameed, J A Bava, Sadashiva Ullal, Yusuf Sharif, Ishwara Ullal, Alwyn, Mustafa, and others were present during the press meet.
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Metro services begin in Bhopal; excited residents flock to take rides, selfies
Bhopal (PTI): On the first day of the commercial run of the Metro services in Bhopal on Sunday, hundreds of residents enthusiastically took rides, expressing confidence that it will save time and provide relief from traffic jams.
An official said that the Metro’s first service began at 9 am from the AIIMS station, and by 6 pm, 5,731 people had travelled on the new mass-transit corridor.
He said that people, along with their family members, had been lining up for tickets since early morning. Several users were seen taking selfies and photos inside the Metro rakes and at stations.
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Earlier on Saturday, Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the Metro service by flagging off a train from Subhash Nagar station on a 7.5-kilometre stretch, called the “Priority Corridor”.
With this, Bhopal became the 26th city in the country and the second city in Madhya Pradesh, after Indore, to have the Metro service.
Rao Singh, who took a Metro ride, told PTI Videos that besides saving time and money, the new mode of transport will provide relief from traffic jams and pollution.
Another passenger, who identified himself as Chetan, said he was happy that Bhopal is now on the “Metro list”.
Office-goers will benefit a lot due to the Metro service, said a young man named Akshay.
While the estimated cost of the 30.8-km-long Bhopal Metro project is Rs 10,033 crore, a sum of Rs 2,225 crore was spent on the ‘Priority Corridor’, according to officials.
