DK reacts to the NDA Budget 2014-15

DK reacts to the NDA Budget 2014-15

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 11, 2014: Maiden budget of the new NDA government presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, has evoked mixed reaction in Dakshina Kannada district.

The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) has termed the budget as ‘quite encouraging, but falls short of the peoples expectations in the facets of action proposed.’ KCCI President Mohammed Ameen has said that the budget has covered most facets including development of urban housing and smart cities, agri-research, skill development, health services, IT infrastructure, education and has set the direction towards development. “However, the road ahead is crowded and difficulty is in the details. Cohesive action plan seems to be missing.” Kanara Small Industries Association (KSIA) President Arun Padiyar did not find the budget encouraging to the MSME sector. Increasing the Central excise and Service tax would have helped the small scale industries, but the government has not worked in that direction. On the other hand, the production cost has gone up, therefore, the budget is not much of benefit to the sector, he told media.

Planned budget :  Dr.Vigneshwara Varmudi, an economist and agriculturist,  welcomed the budget and termed it as an ‘intelligent budget.’ Apart from encouraging industries, banking and fisheries sector, the budget has also concentrated on agriculture. “A fair amount has been earmarked for developing rural roads, which will in turn help the farmers for transportation of agriculture produce. Reserving Rs 1,000 crore for irrigation, continuing  MGNREGA with adjustments, thrust on electricity is the positive side of the budget,” he noted.

KCCI former president Giridhar Prabhu welcomed the budget for being people-friendly and infra-oriented. Raising the income ceiling limit for tax is a welcome point.  The introduction of skill India programme for youth is a good initiative as it will train more number of youth who wish to get into the industrial sector. However, he observed that the government’s move to continue the subsidy for urea to be not a good thing. It will add upto the inflation, he said.

Though generally summarizing  the budget as ‘good,’ some people point out that the budget did not make a clear statement on direct tax code, and implementation is to be awaited for a better picture.

CPI(M) district President B Madhava criticised the budget for making no attempts to curb the inflation and to solve unemployment problem. Unfortunately, the new government has followed the path of its predecessors with regards to FDI, which is not a welcome matter for the nation. “This budget will hardly makes any difference to the common people,” he said.

Populism avoided :  Senior citizen Sharma praised the budget for not following its predecessor’s policy of populism. “The bolder path taken by the government may appear hard now, but will have a positive impact in the long run. Cutting down unnecessary subsidies and expenditure will make provision for improving infrastructure.” On the budgetary allocation of Rs 100 crore for ‘modernising masjids,’ Muslim Central Committee President  Mohammed Masood said it was not clear what the word ‘modernisation meant,’ and what was the actual plan of the government vis a vis Islamic beliefs. Generally there was a sense of superficial satisfaction since it is yet to be made clear how the budget plans are to be implemented with time.