Reactions to Karnataka Budget 2016

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the state budget on Friday. Siddaramaiah's budget has received mixed reactions. Following are the reactions on Karnataka Budget 2016.

Bengaluru gets something at last: Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Manipal Global Education
The State budget has for the first time recognised the importance of urban areas and Bengaluru. The increased allocation and projects augurs well for the state. The increased allocations for the social sectors and for projects in deprived areas is a good move. Tax buoyancy at a time when states are seeing a slowdown demonstrates good fiscal management and the importance of Bengaluru.

Generous allocation: GK Karanth, Professor, ISEC
I am especially happy about the new focus on vocational training. It indicates opening up of higher education and addresses the need for interdisciplinary knowledge.” The budget does lack provisions for ad hoc faculty in government colleges, he added, “because they are seen as transit lounges, really, with everybody waiting for the next promotion or transfer

Special grant good for Bengaluru: Satish BN, executive director (South) Knight Frank (India) Pvt. Ltd
The special grant of Rs 5,000 crore for Bengaluru augurs well for the city, which is presently riddled with infrastructure woes, impacting the growth of real estate. The grant will help decongest these bottlenecks and evolve a comprehensive road network and an efficient transportation system. Besides, the improvement of civic environment through allocating funds for waste management and storm water drain are welcome initiatives.
    
Not enough funds for lakes: RK Misra
I am happy with the allocation of funds for white topping of selected important city roads covering nearly 300 km that will include all major roads and majority of arterial roads. This initiative will solve the problem of potholes. Also, extending TenderSURE to stretches in the old city and new business district areas will make city more walkable. Overall, the budget has looked at key areas. But the only disappointment is lack of a bigger allocation for development of lakes, like Bellandur and Varthur lakes. Only Rs 100 crore has been given for the rejuvenation of all lakes across the city. But Varthur Lake needs Rs 150 crore and Bellandur Lake Rs 250 crore. If he addresses this issue through supplementary grants, then probably we could see both lakes revived during his tenure    

A good job: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
This is a pretty balanced budget and both rural and urban woes have been taken care of. I am pleased to see a slew of measures for infrastructure development in the city, which means that Bengaluru development has been focused on. I am happy to note that they have built a structure for the industry and the government is really keen to look at investments from investors. They have pushed in money for lake development. Although not adequate, it is a start. It is good to note that the government has looked at signal-free corridors and other infrastructure needs which we have been recommending. The government has done a good job, given the constraints. The BBMP has also been strengthened in terms of funding hence the key needs of the city have been looked into.

City given attention: V Ravichandar
I am happy with the budgetary allocation and it is great to see that the city is getting the importance it deserves. The money allocated for the city is good and the message it sends is that Brand Bengaluru needs to succeed, because if the city fails, then the state too fails. Our city is the gateway of change for the entire state. If you look at the direction of the spend, then you would notice that transport, roads, garbage management, stormwater management, commuter rail and lakes have been given importance, which is good. Emphasis has been laid on roads, and it is good to see that there would be 15-20% increase in public transport. But the state needs to embrace the public transport as a solution more holistically as it has a big role to play in development. Money has been allocated for garbage management, but we would like to know where the money is being spent. However, the allocation for the same problem highlights the fact that the key issue still remains to be resolved.

Disappointment for farmers: Chamarasa Mali Patil, president, KRajya Raitha Sangha and Haseeru Sene
We are very disappointed with the Budget. The CM has not bothered to come out with new programmes despite staggered agricultural growth, drought and farmer suicides. No morale boosting steps have been mentioned in the budget. The agriculture sector has got nearly Rs 2,000 crore less than the funds earmarked for the development of Bengaluru. This shows Mr Siddaramaiah's scant respect for agriculture

It is directionless: BJP leader Jagadish Shettar
This is a most disappointing budget from a person who has presented his 11th budget. His budget is directionless as it does not speak of any welfare measure for farmers who are in distress in the state. More than 1,000 farmers have committed suicide so far in the state in the last six months but he just does not refer to any concrete policy about such severity. The state is facing severe drought, but he has not allocated enough funds for even supply of water. How can any sane person term this a people's budget?     
                        
Only tall claims, nothing else: JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy
The budget is disappointing for the poor, middle classes and farmers. Only tall claims have been made for the betterment of the farming community but there is no mention about the steps being taken by Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah. It is disappointing because Mr Siddaramaiah who presented his 11th budget has no new  idea to offer to this section of society. He said, he will give clean water to  Bengaluru, but now he his planning to supply sewage.