Siddaramaiah calls budget as "Aatma Barbaad", HDK "Aatma Vanchane"
Bengaluru, Feb 1: The 2021-22 union budget evoked responses on expected lines in Karnataka on Monday with Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa saying it has come as a catalyst that can revive the sluggish economy and opposition leaders slamming it as "Aatma Barbad" "Aatma Vanchane".
Yeddiyurappa said he strongly believed that the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will act as a "speed booster" to the economy which was badly hit due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Describing it as pro-poor and pro-middle class, he said it was impossible to expect a better budget amidst the pandemic.
Former Karnataka chief ministers Siddaramaiah of Congress and H D Kumaraswamy of the JDS flayed the decision to impose Agriculture Infrastructure and Development cess on petrol, diesel, fertilisers among others, saying it will increase the price of commodities and affect everyone.
Yediyurappa, who holds the state's finance portfolio, said: "The Union Finance Minister has announced necessary strategies for economic revival as well as containment of the pandemic."
It was a welcome measure that the COVID-19 vaccination drive has been allocated Rs 35,000 crore and the Finance Minister assured more funds in case of necessity, the Chief Minister said, adding strengthening of agriculture sector, skill development, infrastructure development and industrial development had been given a special emphasis in the budget.
"The budget has provided a platform to double the farmer's income by 2022 as per the aspiration of Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji," he said and added Rs 16.50 lakh crore has been allocated for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Strengthening and continuation of minimum support price (MSP) to farmers has been emphasised.
Funds to improve the infrastructure in APMCs, doubling the grants for micro irrigation and value addition programme for 22 crops will help farmers in a great way, he further said, adding that tax holiday for construction of affordable houses will benefit the middle class.
Noting that Rs 1.10 lakh crore has been allocated under National Railway Project, Yediyurappa said, it was a welcome move to have provided Rs 1.07 lakh crores for capital expenditure.
"An amount of Rs 14,778 crore has been announced for Bengaluru Metro Project....58 kms of new route can be constructed due to this provision. This is the biggest gift to Karnataka from our own Finance Minister," he added.
Exemption of filing Income tax returns to senior citizens above 75 years was also an appreciable measure, he said.
"On the whole, the Union Budget 2021-22 has the potential to be a catalyst to revive the economy and implement development programmes. I wholeheartedly welcome this budget," he added.
Siddaramaiah in a tweet said: "Nirmala Sitharaman had announced Aatma Nirbhar package to provide relief from Covid induced fallout. As a follow up, 'Aatma Barbaad' budget has been announced today," Siddaramaiah tweeted.
"People had to face huge hardships due to Covid. Many lost jobs, Farmers could not sell their produce and Businesses went bankrupt. Yet there is no programme in the 2020-21 budget to address these issues," he claimed.
"Taxes are an inherent component of revenue mobilisation for govt projects. In order to avoid direct increase of tax, Nirmala Sitharaman is trying to increase the cess in the name of farmers," he said.
In spite of being a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, Sitharaman has completely ignored the stat, he said, accusing her of allocating more funds to states where elections were due in the next one year.
"If Karnataka goes for election every year, we may get more funds," he added.
Kumaraswamy also took to Twitter and said the Centre that has hiked prices, while claiming its budget was aimed at evolving Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, was indulging in talks of "Aatma Vanchane" (self deception).
"Is it possible for India to be self-reliant with such a hike in prices. Diesel and petrol prices are already increasing. It looks like the Centre seems to have not taken into account the impact of the new hike in prices," he said.
.@nsitharaman had announced Aatma Nirbhar package to provide relief from Covid induced fallout. As a follow up, 'Aatma Barbaad' budget has been announced today.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 1, 2021
1/14#Budget2021
ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಏರಿಸಿರುವ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ತನ್ನದು ‘ಅತ್ಮನಿರ್ಭರ ಭಾರತ’ ರೂಪಿಸುವ ಬಜೆಟ್ ಎಂದು ಆತ್ಮವಂಚನೆಯ ಮಾತುಗಳನ್ನಾಡುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಇಷ್ಟು ಏರಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ಭಾರತವು ಆತ್ಮನಿರ್ಭರತೆಯನ್ನು ಸಾಧಿಸಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವೇ? ಡೀಸೆಲ್, ಪೆಟ್ರೋಲ್ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಏರುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಅದರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಈಗಿನ ಭಾರಿ ಏರಿಕೆ ಪರಿಣಾಮ ಏನಾಗಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಯೋಚಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಇಲ್ಲ.
— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) February 1, 2021
1/7
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
