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.

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New Delhi (PTI): Former vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari, former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, former deputy prime minister LK Advani and former Union minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi have cast their votes using the home voting facility, the Delhi poll body said. 

The office of the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Delhi on Thursday kicked off the home voting facility for elderly voters and persons with disabilities (PwDs) and it will go on till May 24.

According to the data shared by the office, 1409 voters cast their ballots from the comfort of their homes across all seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi on Friday, which was the second day of the facility being started.

The West Delhi constituency reported the highest number of home votes, with 348 voters participating. Among them, 299 were elderly individuals. 

With the completion of the second day, a total of 2,956 voters have exercised their right to vote from home, the CEO office said. 

"Former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and former Union minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi successfully cast their votes on May 17 from their home availing home voting facility in the New Delhi parliamentary constituency," the office said.

Former vice president Mohammad Hamid Ansari cast his vote on Thursday, it added.

Former deputy prime minister LK Advani cast his vote on Saturday, sources said.  

On the first day, 1,482 voters exercised their franchise from home.

A total of 5,406 voters across Delhi -- elderly individuals and PwDs -- have filled out Form 12D to avail of the home voting facility in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

This initiative ensures these voters can participate in the electoral process with ease and dignity, eliminating the need to visit polling stations. Delhi will go to polls on May 25.