MIA welcomes Budget; thumbs down from farmers, tourism sector

The Mysuru Industries Association (MIA) has described the State Budget as “industry-friendly.” In a press release, MIA President & MLA Vasu and Secretary Suresh Kumar Jain have welcomed the government’s proposal to reduce lease period for less than 2 acres of land allotted by KSSIDC and KIADB to small scale investors from 99 years to 10 years.

They also welcomed the increase in loan for women entrepreneurs from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 2 crore at 4% rate of interest. The Budget provides huge opportunities for women, youth and backward class people. Allocation of Rs. 2,250 crore and loan up to Rs. 2 crore at 4% interest rate for women entrepreneurs is a boon for the industries sector, they said.

President of State Sugarcane Growers’ Association Kurubur Shanthakumar has said that the Budget was a disappointment for the farming community. “In this hour of crisis, the CM should have provided relief to the farmers. While Siddharamaiah had announced that the recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission would be accepted giving good news to government employees, he has neglected the farmers,” he said.

President of Mysuru Travel Association C.A. Jayakumar has termed the Budget “without a vision” that “caters to the welfare of only one particular group”. “The CM has totally neglected the development and tourism sector. Last Budget, he had dealt a severe blow to the tourism industry and this year, he has literally neglected the sector,” he said.

President of Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association C. Narayana Gowda has said that being a Mysurean, Siddharamaiah could have boosted the hotel industry in Mysuru that is reeling under crisis. “This Budget is not useful for the hotel industry and at the same time, it does not help tourism either,” he said.

Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President A.S. Satish said that it is a “balanced Budget”. “While the CM must be complimented for providing a relief to small scale industries and women entrepreneurs, he could have done more to the tourism industry,” he said.

The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and Hasiru Sene General Secretary Badagalapura Nagendra described the Budget as ‘hopeless’. “Farmers hoped that the Chief Minister would announce waiver of agriculture loans but are disappointed. We had expected that the CM would announce a loan waiver but the Budget has left farmers in dire straits,” he said.

Mysuru City BJP President Dr. B. H. Manjunath said that Siddharamaiah’s Budget was aimed at garnering votes for           elections as it was full of appeasement. “The Budget is pro-people. The CM has presented the Budget which has got something for farmers, students, industries, women empowerment, rural development, among others,” said Mysore Paints   and Varnish Limited Chairman H.A. Venkatesh

This post was published on March 16, 2017 6:45 pm