Lok Sabha Debates
General Discussion On The Budget For The State Of Karnataka For 2008-09; Demands ... on 11 March, 2008
> Title: General discussion on the Budget for the State of Karnataka for 2008-09; Demands for Grants on Account Nos. 1to 29 for 2008-09 and Supplementary Demands for Grants Nos. 1 to 29 in respect of the Budget for the State of Karnataka for 2007-08.
MR. SPEAKER: The House shall take up Item Nos.29 to 31 together.
“That the respective sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President, out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Karnataka, on account, for or towards defraying the charges during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 2009, in respect of the heads of Demands entered in the second column thereof against Demand Nos. 1 to 28.” MR. SPEAKER: Motion moved:
“That the respective supplementary sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President of India, out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Karnataka to defray the charges that will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 2008, in respect of the heads of Demands entered in the second column thereof against Demand Nos. 1 to 5 and 7 to 28.” SHRI ANANTH KUMAR (BANGALORE SOUTH): Thank you very much, Sir. I rise to state my views on the Vote on Account by the hon. Finance Minister before the hon. House. Before dealing with the vote on accounts that he has placed before the hon. House, I have a direct question to the hon. Finance Minister as well as the Leader of the House. Sir, I feel that the Congress Party, the UPA Government has once again showed its scant respect to the democratic principles. We expected that the hon. Finance Minister would be presenting a vote on account for only three months but he has presented his vote on account for six months because the President’s rule was clamped on the State of Karnataka on November 28, 2007. We all know that as per the constitutional provisions, six months elapses on May 28, 2008. All the major political parties in Karnataka, especially the BJP, day in and day out pressing the hon. Election Commission as well as the UPA Government to come forth and get the mandate of the people. Actually, our sole demand is that before May 28, 2008, elections to the State of Karnataka Assembly should be held. If the intentions of the hon. Finance Minister, the hon. Prime Minister and the Leader of the House were to be very clear, they would have come forth with a vote on account only for three months. He has come with a vote on account for six months. काल में कुछ दाला है।
अध्यक्ष महोदय : दाल में कुछ काला है।
श्री अनंत कुमार : जी हां, दाल में कुछ काला है।
अध्यक्ष महोदय : यह तो हमारे जैसी हिन्दी हो गई।
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sorry, Sir. I stand corrected.
When we met the hon. Election Commission, we placed our views that the Congress Party is taking delimitation as a ruse, an excuse, to postpone the democratic process, the elections. We urged the hon. Election Commission…. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Jalappa, you are the next speaker.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : When we met the hon. Election Commission, we urged the Election Commission that there cannot be two types of notification for delimitation – de facto and de jure – that is, on February 20, the hon. President of India gives her assent to the delimitation notification and six months later, the electoral rolls will be prepared. Afterwards, the elections will be conducted. It is a clear cut case of constitutional conspiracy by the Congress Government.
We all know in this august House that the delimitation was over by November-end only and if we remember, in the last week of November, the Union Government actually placed the notification on delimitation on the Table of the House. But I do not understand as to what is the reason and rationale for ratifying the delimitation notification by the Union Cabinet forthwith and sending it for the Presidential assent. They waited for two and a half months; they wasted two and a half months for such a simple procedure. [r15] They also know that they cannot tinker with the delimitation process. There is a mala fide intention in that delaying tactics. Therefore, once again I urge both the Leader of the House and the Finance Minister, at the outset, to clarify why they have not taken vote on account for only three months and why they have taken it for six months, what is their intention, whether they want to postpone the elections to the State of Karnataka beyond six months’ of President’s Rule and whether they want to rule from backdoor.
Actually it is unfortunate that the Governor’s Rule in Karnataka is being termed by the people of Karnataka as the Congress rule through the backdoor. They are adopting this now; they did so during the Emergency between 1975 and 1977. They extended it. … (Interruptions) It is very relevant. If the Leader of the House has something to say, I will yield and he could make his point. … (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA): We have given an opportunity to form the Government; they were not able to do it.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR: Why is the Minister getting up? I am not yielding. … (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : हाउस में थोड़ी बहुत टोका-टाकी हो, तो ठीक है।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: जालप्पा जी, आप इसके बाद बोलेंगे।
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Actually, they do not want elections in Karnataka; they are running away from the people; they do not want a popular mandate. When the Election Commission, recently on March 4th, visited Bangaluru, Karnataka, to oversee the preparedness of the elections, we expected that the Congress Party and the UPA in general, to come forward and tell the Election Commission and the BJP … MR. SPEAKER: The Finance Minister is to reply. But can he deal with all these things?
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : The Leader of the House is also present; I am drawing his attention to this. Therefore my basic question is: why did they bring vote on account for six months and why not for three months?
MR. SPEAKER: Okay, you made your point.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Therefore, at the outset, I allege that they are undemocratic; they are running away from the elections because they know that on the first ever opportunity in Karnataka, people are going to elect BJP with full majority. … (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM): Are you becoming the Chief Minister?
MR. SPEAKER: That is obvious! SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : In the last four years of UPA rule, they have lost State after State – they have lost Punjab; they have lost Uttarakhand; they have lost Himachal Pradesh; they have lost Gujarat; before that, they have lost Bihar and Jharkhand also; even in Jharkhand, by dubious manipulation, they have formed the UPA Government.
MR. SPEAKER: Come to the Budget now.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : When I was browsing through the Vote on Account document, one glaring thing is this; I hope the hon. Finance Minister will be replying to this. In the last six months of the President’s rule, there is no reasonable utilization of Plan and non-Plan expenditure. Actually the last two Budgets – 2006-07 and 207-08 Budgets – were presented to Karnataka Assembly by our former Deputy-Chief Minister and former Chief Minister and then, the Finance Minister Shri Yediurappa; he has given a popular Budget with so many pro-people initiatives, plans and projects. Every day, the UPA says ‘कांग्रेस का हाथ आम आदमी के साथ’ but across the country we have other examples and one glaring example is Karnataka. कांग्रेस का हाथ खास आदमी के साथ; it is not with aam aadmi. I will give one example. [MSOffice16] There is one novel project that was unveiled by Shri Yeddurappa, Sandhya Suraksha to give Rs.400 monthly relief to all the elderly citizens. I hope you have got a great concern about elderly people. Rs.250 crores was earmarked. When I go through the details, out of these Rs.250 crores in the last six months only Rs.4 crores have been utilised. This is the way they are showing their concern to the people of Karnataka.
Secondly, in Maharashtra, there is a backward region by the name Vidharbha and Tilangana in Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, in Hyderabad-Karnataka there are Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary districts which form the part of Hyderabad region. One of the noted economists of Karnataka, Shri D.M. Nanjundappa, gave a report. To implement that Report, to bring succour to 114 backward talukas of Karnataka, Shri Yeddurappa in his Budget allocated Rs.1,571 crore. I would like to ask a straight question to the hon. Finance Minister who has presented this Vote on Account, as to how much money has been spent on that in the last four-five months during the President’s Rule. It is a pittance, Sir. Now, keeping an eye on the ensuing elections – I do not know when the elections are going to be held – he has given Rs.2,500 crore for the same purpose. But when they have not utilised the previous amount, when they have shown huge savings on that what is the rationale of now putting Rs.2,500 crore? I think it is done keeping in view only the ensuing elections.
In the Medium Term Fiscal Plan (for Karnataka) Document, Sir, the Finance Minister himself has applauded our efforts, the efforts of the erstwhile Government and the financial management by Shri Yeddurappa Ji. I quote:
“The state has also incurred substantial expenditure on implementing major new initiatives like the farmers’ loan waiver scheme,; Rs. 1,750 crore in 2006-07, 2007-08 provision of agricultural credit at subsidized interest rate of four per cent, through the cooperative credit institutions Rs. 150 crore per year, an enhancement of social security pensions to Rs.400 per month, Rs.700 crore in 2007-08, integrated development of 1200 villages under the Swarna Gramodya Scheme has been taken up with an outlay of Rs.1000 crore in 2006 and 2007-08. ” Sir, when this has been the case in the State of Karnataka, both BJP and Shri Yeddurappa Ji per se have fulfilled their promises to the farmers of Karnataka by waiving the loans of all the farmers not only small and marginal farmers and providing Rs.1,750 crore in the Budget and providing money for the cooperative societies also.
The other day we were going through the details of the hon. Finance Minister’s loan waiver scheme. We thought that the hon. Prime Minister will be replying to the hon. Leader of the Opposition’s queries regarding this. We once again want to ask where is the provisioning for Rs.60,000 crore. Where from that money is going to come?
MR. SPEAKER: That will come in the debate on main Budget.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, it is their duty to answer to the people of the country. They cannot take farmers for a ride. We are very much a part of the country. There are farmers who have taken… (Interruptions)
SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Have patience for three days.
MR. SPEAKER: You can ask for the Karnataka segment.[R17] SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Secondly, there have been continuous mention in the hon. Finance Minister’s Union Budget regarding M.S. Swaminathan Committee Report as well as Radhakrishnan Committee Report on farmers indebtedness. We have been demanding that the agricultural loan interest rates be reduced to 4 per cent and that has been the recommendation also. We have shown the path to the entire country. I really applaud and compliment my colleague, Shri B.S. Yeddurappa for giving the loan waiver and also for 4 per cent interest rate. But I fail to understand when this so called package of Rs.60,000 crore has been given to the farmers and if that money is not provided for, what will happen to the farmers for the fresh crop loans from July 1st onwards. They will again be in that vicious circle and again the spate of suicides may continue. What about reduction of interest rates? We reduced the interest rates from 7 per cent to 6 per cent and from 6 per cent to 4 four per cent. How come Chidamabaramji who is speaking about the farmers has not reduced the interest rate to 4 per cent? I do not know whether I should thank him as the 4 per cent interest rate as provided by Shri Yeddurappa of Bhartiya Janata Party, has been continued in this Vote on Account also. It has not been emulated on the national scene. If I go to the other parts of the Vote on Account, actually during our period, we provided in our Budget Rs.1 crore for MLAs Fund. Karnataka is a huge State and it is having 224 MLAs.
MR. SPEAKER: You have got many other speakers from your Party.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, I will take only five more minutes.
Sir, there is MPLAD Scheme which is operating under your leadership throughout the country. Every Legislature wants to emulate this model Scheme. Therefore, in Karnataka also, in our coalition Government’s budget we came out with a parallel to MPLAD Scheme that is giving Rs.1 crore to each MLA for his area development. But alas in Chidambaramji’s Karnataka Budget, he has totally forgotten people’s representatives because the Governor’s Rule and bureaucracy is heavy on his mind.
MR. SPEAKER: Are MLAs still there?
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR: Sir, the MLAs are going to come. The Legislative Council is still existing. If they have got good intentions and no mala fide intentions, the elections will be conducted in the next 60 days and new popular Government led by Bhartiya Janata Party is going to come. There will be 224 MLAs… (Interruptions). If the Congress Party is having any opposition to this, they should register their opposition. I will yield to them. We are demanding the MLAs Fund and if they want to oppose it, they should come forward.
MR. SPEAKER: You have made very good points. Now please conclude.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, I have just made two points. We urge that the MLAs Fund of Rs.1 crore per MLA should be included. I just want to read yesterday’s headlines of the Bangalore newspapers. I am reading one headline from the New Indian Express published on 11.03.2008 saying: ‘Chidambaram disappoints Bangalore’. In Deccan Herald there is another headline saying: ‘Budget gives city a raw deal, infrastructure funds cut’.
MR. SPEAKER: You should feel happy.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, we are very unhappy because ultimately we feel he has been a friend for the last one and half decades. We feel that he is a progressive man. He also recognises Bangalore as an emerging city and a knowledge city of the future. We all know it is the IT capital of the country. If something is choking the city, it is the traffic congestion and the lack of proper infrastructure despite our efforts. There is a new international airport coming up in the city. It is the first ever Greenfield airport in the country. We wanted a high speed rail connecting the airport. In spite of a request being made by the State Administration for a sum of Rs. 93 crore, a paltry sum of Rs. 5 crore has been allocated for this purpose by the hon. Finance Minister. This airport is going to be inaugurated by the end of this month. I am really surprised at the kind of step-motherly treatment being meted out to the State by this UPA Government.
MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude now. Your other colleagues would not get time.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, I would like to read out from a document given by Shri Chidambaram himself. It says and I quote:
“The mid-year position of receipts of grant-in-aid and contribution from the Government of India was 565.88 crore against the Budget Estimates of Rs. 5913.80 crore for the year. The anticipated shortfall in receipts projected for JNURM, urban infrastructure for development of small and medium town schemes and the centrally-sponsored schemes for rejuvenation of tanks was the main reason for Centre’s grant-in-aid for State being reduced in the mid-year’s estimate. Reduction in grant-in-aid and contribution from Central Government for the year is estimated to be of the order of Rs. 394 crore only. The net effect of the short-fall in the receipts from grant-in-aid and contribution from Government of India deviations.” Whatever money has been sanctioned in the Budget of the Central Government to various projects to help the State Government, everything has dwindled. I would like to repeat that whatever money that should flow to the State of Karnataka through various projects, especially the Centrally-sponsored schemes have dwindled. All have become half-way. I would like to have an explanation from the hon. Finance Minister about this. Why are the people of Karnataka being neglected? Why is such a step-motherly treatment being meted out to the State of Karnataka? Therefore, I do not want that they should indulge in jugglery of numbers. They should come out clean. The Government should say, `look, this was the allocation through CSS; this was the allocation for various urban renewal infrastructure scheme and we have fully met them.’ I want to say that because of the efforts and performance of the hon. Finance Minister during the last two years, the State of Karnataka is witnessing financial buoyancy, especially in revenue and in tax collection. The hon. Finance Minister knows it well. When he came there and visited the Vidhan Soudha, he complimented our coalition Government for its efficient fiscal management and he also complimented the State of Karnataka for the kind of financial buoyancy that it was witnessing. When that is the case, when our revenues are so high, why should money not be ploughed back for the development of the State? That is the basic question.
MR. SPEAKER: I am sorry to say that no other hon. Member from your Party will get any more time.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, I would like to make one more major issue. There is one important special purpose vehicle in the State of Karnataka, known as the K-Ride during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee led NDA Government. There was an MoU signed between the then Railway Minister, Shri Nitish Kumar and the then Chief Minister of Karnataka. We came out with a Special Purpose Vehicle by the name K-Ride. [R18] 15.00 hrs. The Government of Karnataka will contribute some amount for it. The Government of India and the Ministry of Railways will also contribute some amount and they will push through various projects of Karnataka.
Sir, various railway projects were started in Karnataka like Mangalore-Hassan, Bangalore-Mysore-Tumkur, Bidar-Gulbarga and Hubli-Ankola. These include gauge conversion, doubling of lines, automatic signalling and electrification. All these have come to a standstill because of this Vote on Account. They have not given any meaning for the K-Ride scheme. I want the hon. Finance Minister, when he would give the reply, to throw some light on the neglect of the railway projects of Karnataka. The same is the case with the irrigation projects. This is the last point which I would be touching.
As regards irrigation projects, the Damocles’ Sword is always hanging on our heads. That Damocles’ Sword is the dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu regarding the sharing of Cauvery water. Recently, the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri Karunanidhi, (Interruptions)* … came into Karnataka border…..… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Do not mention that.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: It has been deleted. Please delete this word.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI A. KRISHNASWAMY (SRIPERAMBUDUR): Sir, how can he say like that…? He is the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ananth Kumar, you cannot make such a reference. You know it very well.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: It has been expunged. It has been deleted.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please go to your seats.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You cannot mention that in respect of a Chief Minister of a State.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Krishnaswamy, please go back to your seat. I am telling you that I have expunged it. That means it is not permissible. So, I have expunged it.
… (Interruptions)
* Not recorded SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, I would like to conclude.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You were mentioning good points. Why are you getting into conflicts?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, actually, there is a beautiful place called Hogenakal. It is part and parcel of Karnataka. … (Interruptions)
SHRI A. KRISHNASWAMY : No, Sir. It is wrong. … (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, can I not say this much also? According to the earlier Madras Presidency topography map also, Hogenakal is part and parcel of Karnataka. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: That is his contention. You may deny it. He is not a representative of the States Reorganisation Commission.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : You are giving wrong information. I am giving you the correct information. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ananth Kumar, you have travelled a long way from Karnataka Budget discussion. Please speak on the Budget.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: His point is not final.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, let them dispute. … (Interruptions) But it is an undisputed point that Hogenakal is part and parcel of Karnataka… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please do not divide this country for heaven’s sake.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Somebody will decide it one day but not in this fashion. I am not admitting it. Whatever he says is not binding on you. You cannot go on protesting now. When you get your chance to speak, you may say it.
… (Interruptions)
SHRIMATI TEJASWINI SEERAMESH (KANAKAPURA): Sir, let me make one point here. … (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : I yield to her, Sir. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I am not permitting her.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Shrimati Tejaswini Seeramesh being in the Congress Party is supporting us. I welcome it. I want Shri Chidambaram to recognize this support from the Congress Party. We are all one on this[MSOffice19] issue.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is not allowed. Anybody speaking without my consent will not be recorded at all.
(Interruptions)* … SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : I hope that Shri Deve Gowda also supports us on this issue. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Jalappa to take the floor.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, I have not concluded.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Krishnaswamy, this is very unfortunate.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Hogenakal is part and parcel of Karnataka. Recently a project worth Rs. 1,350 crore for drinking water and power generation was started. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ananth Kumar, you are traveling far away from the Budget.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : This project was unveiled to supply drinking water to Dharmapuri and other districts. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ananth Kumar, you are bringing in inter-State matters.
… (Interruptions)
* Not recorded SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : It is … * …(Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: That word is deleted.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Jalappa to take the floor of the House. Nothing more of Shri Ananth Kumar will be recorded.
(Interruptions) … * 15.06 hrs. (At this stage, Shri A. Krishnaswamy and some other hon. Members came and stood near the Table.) MR. SPEAKER: I will now put the Karnataka Budget to the vote of the House and get it passed.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I would not allow this.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I shall now put the Karnataka Budget to the vote of the House. No further discussion will be allowed.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please go to your seats.
15.07 hrs. (At this stage, Shri A. Krishnaswamy, Shri Pralhad Joshi and some other hon. Members came and stood near the Table.) * Not recorded MR. SPEAKER: I shall put it to the vote of the House.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please go to your seats.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is not the way to behave in the Parliament of India.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ananth Kumar, your time is over. I would not allow. No more time for you.
… (Interruptions)
15.09 hrs. (At this stage, Shri A. Krishnaswamy, Shri Pralhad Joshi and some other hon. Members went back to their seats.) MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ananth Kumar, you have exhausted the entire time of your party.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR: No. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: There is no question of “no”. You cannot challenge my decision.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ananth Kumar, you have taken more time than what was allotted to the entire party. I have been requesting you so many times to conclude. You are bringing in controversial matters, making allegations against the Chief Minister, which is not permitted.
Now, you make your last sentence and conclude.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You have sufficiently created uproar here.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, the Central Water Commission should step in. How can the Central Water Commission keep quiet? How can the UPA Government keep quiet? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This has got nothing to do with the Budget. You have said that. You cannot go on repeating that.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Now, Shri Jalappa. Only Shri Jalapp’s statement will be recorded.
(Interruptions)* … MR. SPEAKER: Shri Ananth Kumar, you have exhausted your time.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, the exercise done by Shri P. Chidambaram of extending the Vote on Account for six months is totally undemocratic. It is against the principles of democracy. The Government should have done it only for three months. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You have said that. Thank you.
* Not recorded SHRI R.L. JALAPPA (CHIKBALLAPUR): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to speak on this Budget. Before I come to the Karnataka Budget, I want to express myself about what Shri Ananth Kumar has said.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is becoming an uncertain place. Is it a debating place, discussion place or what it is?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Shri Ananth Kumar unnecessarily dragged a name.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Will everything be decided on the power of decibels, on the shouting power?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Shri Ananth Kumar unnecessarily dragged the name of the Congress Party. He was behaving as if we have snatched something away from his Party. He is known for his surreptitious way of taking away the time of this House. Also, he surreptitiously joined hands with Shri Kumarasamy and took over the reins of Government. They are power hungry now. They have seen the power for a few months. Now, they know what is power. So, they want to get back power as early as possible, in any manner, whether joining with anybody or doing any * surreptitious things. Shri Ananth Kumar, I am very sorry.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: That word will be deleted.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Shri Ananth Kumar, you have no business to do that. The Congress Party is not afraid of going to polls. We are a 123-year-old Party. … (Interruptions) We need not bother about these people. We will never bother about these people. Shri Ananth Kumar, why are you unnecessarily raking your brains? Please keep quiet for some time. We will face you on the field. Come to the battle field.
*Not recorded MR. SPEAKER: “Come on” not here! … (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : They are running away from elections.… (Interruptions)
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : It is not I who am doing that. Sir, when they went back on their word, when the power was not transferred by Shri Kumarasamy, they went to Tumkur. After hearing that Kumarasamy will give back power to him, Shri Yediyurappa ran away to Bangalore.. They were offered something. They ran away from that place once again. Everybody knows about it. They were in Shimoga. I can tell you that some offer was made by Shri Kumarasamy. Immediately, they left the meeting. They ran away to Bangalore. Shri Yediyurappa is a close friend who has not liked this gentleman. That is a different thing.
MR. SPEAKER: This is not the Karnataka Assembly. This is not your meeting, either.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : I will stop that at this. I am happy.
MR. SPEAKER: He has admitted that he is his close friend.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Who?
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Yediyurappa. He has admitted that.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : I have admitted it. I have complimented him as one of the best Finance Ministers of Karnataka.
MR. SPEAKER: He says you are not friendly towards that gentleman.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : बहुत ह्र्तयूमर हो गया।
…( व्यवधान)
HRI R.L. JALAPPA: Shri Ananth Kumar, will you kindly allow me to speak? I am happy. I congratulate the Governor who is ruling the State on behalf of the hon. President of India. The Government has given a good Budget to the people. I also thank the officers who have supported him.
The State Plan outlay is about Rs.21,751 crore which is 12 per cent over and above the last year’s State Plan. It is clearly a welcome gesture. The revenue receipts have gone up this time. The Government of India is granting money under grant-in-aid. All this comes to Rs.12,811 crore. It is a very good and welcome gesture. The revenue receipts are expected to be Rs.46,180 crore. For the fourth time, we have got revenue surplus in our State. It shows the healthy economic position of our State.[R20] There was a Committee appointed by the previous Government for removal of regional imbalances and that Committee was headed by Dr. Nanjundappa. In his Report, he had stated that 114 taluks were below the average growth and they were suffering too much. So, an amount of Rs. 2,459 crore is now given for the development of those 114 taluks which is a very good gesture and I thank the Government on behalf of the people of those 114 taluks. This amount is given over above and what Shri Yediurappa had given earlier.
Secondly, for agriculture and horticulture, an allocation of Rs. 249 crore has been made which is more than the previous year’s allocation. My request to the Government is to see that the agriculturists are helped to the maximum extent and they should see that whatever seeds and other things are supplied to them are of the best quality. Otherwise they will be in trouble. Shri Chidambaram has announced a big bonanza of loan waiver scheme for the farmers of our country in his Budget. So, we must see that agriculturists are kept in good humour and we must see that they do not suffer losses.
Thirdly, for fisheries and animal husbandry, an amount of Rs. 62 crore more, has been given this year which is more than the previous year’s outlay. The farmers who have taken up dairying are subjected to income tax now. This is not fair and I would request the Government that dairying should not be taxed. This is my special request to Shri Chidambaram.
Then, I am very happy that an amount of Rs. 1,588 crore in excess has been provided than last year for education, irrigation and infrastructure which are very important for the country’s development. So, our Government have given Rs. 1,588 crore for education for which I thank the Government.
For health and medical education, an amount of Rs. 253 crore more has been provided than last year’s allocation. Health is very important. Even now in many of the hospitals in the villages, there is no proper medical care for the poor people. The rich people have got many good hospitals in towns and will go and take medical treatment from such expensive hospitals. But it is our duty to see that in the villages, for the aam aadmi, proper healthcare is provided at their doorstep. We must ensure that they get proper healthcare and I thank the Government for allocating more money for this.
Sir, it has been stated that they have started six new medical colleges. I am very happy that they have started them. [R21] W[r22] hat about infrastructure? There is no sufficient teaching staff. If MCI goes there and find out the position, probably they may not give more than 50 seats each. So, the Government has enhanced the salaries also just to attract the faculty members from other colleges. In spite of that sufficient teachers are not there. They somehow manage to get the teaching staff. My intention is to see that the medical colleges produce doctors and not butchers. This has to be kept in mind by the Government of Karnataka.
Secondly, for SC/STs and OBCs, they have increased Rs.259 crore. It is very good and for SC/STs, it is all right. But for OBCs whatever is being given in the State is very less. So, more funds have to be provided for the empowerment of the backward classes.
Unfortunately, the same thing is in the Central Budget also. If I am given an opportunity, I will just bring to the notice of the hon. Finance Minister about the insufficient money that is provided to the OBCs in the Central Budget.
MR. SPEAKER: Central Budget discussion will start tomorrow. Please restrict to Karnataka.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Sir, for the development of women and children they have provided some funds. Rural Development is also good. They have provided Rs.286 crore more. PWD and infrastructure is also good.
Now, I come to Shri Ananth Kumar. He was boasting that his Party men have done so many things, and that he had offered heavens to Karantaka people. I would like to inform the House that that was a black period for Karnataka State.
SHRI G. KARUNAKARA REDDY (BELLARY): Will he explain that?
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : I will explain. In my constituency, there are eight segments. In Hassan also, there are eight segments. What is the amount allotted for roads and buildings of these constituencies?
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, Hassan is the constituency of Shri Devegowda.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : He had helped them to come to power, that is why they had given more funds. Does he mean to say that? If he is coming out plainly, I will accept it.
Sir, works of Rs.1007 crore have been taken up in that constituency, whereas in my constituency, works of Rs.371 crore have been taken up. Out of these eight segments, five are from Congress, two are from their Party and one is from CPI(M). For all those three segments, they have given sufficient money and for us no money was given. Only a pittance was given to us. Is this the reason that the taxpayer is contributing to the Consolidated Fund of Karnataka? Is this the reason that the Government of India is giving us grants and other things? About 55 per cent of the income from direct and indirect taxes is being flowed to the States. Is this money to be used for their selfish ends?
They have created one corporation named KRDCL, that is, Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited. This is another surreptitious way to borrow money from the institutions and to spend for the development of their own segments, their own constituencies. They have given Rs.37 crore for the eight segments here and for one segment they have spent Rs.450 crore.[r23] From the Karnataka Rural Development Corporation Limited, Holenarsipur has taken Rs. 60 crore and Ramnagar has taken Rs. 60 crore. In other segments from where their MLAs are elected belong to JD (S), some people have got the money; some people have not been given the money for developments. But the BJP got the money for all the segments. This amount has to be repaid by the Consolidated Funds of the State, by the tax-payers' money. This is being discharged. Why the other segments should not be encouraged? This is very bad. This is how the BJP has ruled for 20 months. That is why I call it as a black period.
The Department has borrowed about Rs. 170 crore for Hassan Constituency from KRDCL and only Rs. 17 crore have been provided to my constituency. Mr. Yedurappa, this has been granted somehow to become the Chief Minister.
SHRI ANANTH KUMAR: Mr. Speaker, Sir, what Shri Jalappa is saying is right; his questions are right; but his address is wrong. He should address all these things to Devegowda ji and his son, and not to Bharatiya Janata Party.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Who was the Finance Minister, Mr. Devegowda?
MR. SPEAKER: He is admitting the facts you have mentioned.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : I have obtained all the information from Karnataka Government under the Right to Information Act.… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Mr. Jalappa, you have made very good points. Now your other Members are also there to speak.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : For housing and urban development, they have provided Rs. 119 crore more than last year. I am sorry, this is only to complete the incomplete houses. Not a single rupee is given for the new houses. Even after sixty years, are we not ashamed to find huts in the villages? Especially when these people were in the Government, they never bothered about providing houses to the poor people. No houses were completed during their time. Everybody is suffering. This is the actual figure that I am giving you. No hulla gulla, nothing and you have got a good throat to shout but this is a fact.
MR. SPEAKER: He is a younger throat! SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : For transport, they have allocated nearly Rs. 117 crore more. For industries also, they have announced, Rs. 163 crore more. But I would request the Government to enhance it at least by Rs. 100 crore more.
For the amelioration of the backward classes, the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Minorities, they have provided Rs. 259 crore more.
MR. SPEAKER: You have taken 20 minutes.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Sir, another thing is this. We had already requested the Government to enhance the Ashraya Funds to be given to the houseless people from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000. I was told that the Governor has already taken a decision but it is not reflected in the Budget. If he has not taken any decision, I would request the Government to enhance it to Rs. 30,000. Sir, Rs. 30,000 is nothing. We are getting Rs. 42,000 per month. To construct the house, you should give them a pittance of Rs. 30,000. It must be provided. More funds must be provided to them.[r24] Sir, a sum of Rs. 187 crore has been provided to Scheduled Castes, and a sum of Rs. 225 crore has been provided to Scheduled Tribes. This is a very good thing. It is for the first time that so much of funds are being provided to SCs and STs.
I am very happy that they have provided a lot of money to drip irrigation. But the point is that the material that is being supplied by the suppliers in many cases is very inferior. I had spoken about this previously. Why do we not standardize the material? It should be one and the same from Himalayas to Kanyakumari. Can we not do that? Sir, I had been to Russia and I went to some shops for purchase. The prices which were quoted in Stalingrad were the same in Leningrad and in Moscow. So, that type of standardization must be done here. I would request the hon. Finance Minister to look into these things.
As regards four per cent interest and all that, about which they are boasting and saying that Shri Yeddurappa did it, I would like to say that in 1983 I was the first person to rationalize it. At that time, the farmers became defaulters because there was drought for three years continuously and the banks were not functioning. I said: “You return the principal. The interest and penal interest will be waived off.” So, I did it. And as regards those people who had borrowed money for digging wells for irrigation and whose wells have failed, I told them that the principal and interest would be waived off. I had done that. So, this is not the first time that they are doing. I had already done it and they have copied me. That is all. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: They are very good shishyas and good chellas.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Sir, I had declared that six per cent interest would only be charged to those who borrowed and repaid the loan in time. This is what I had done. I would request that the same thing should be done now. Further I would like to point out that the four per cent interest, which Shri Dharam Singh’s Government has done, is already in vogue now, and it is not withdrawn. This is for the information of Shri Ananth Kumar. … (Interruptions)
SHRI D.V. SADANAND GOWDA (MANGALORE): Sir, he should not mislead the House. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Only Shri Jalappa’s statement will go on record.
(Interruptions)* … MR. SPEAKER: Shri Jalappa, you please conclude now. Please leave something for your colleagues.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: What you are saying is not being recorded. Please do not do that.
(Interruptions)* … SHRI ANANTH KUMAR : Sir, he should not mislead the House. … (Interruptions)
* Not recorded MR. SPEAKER: Nobody should mislead the House. Please sit down.
Shri Jalappa, please conclude now.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Sir, he is thinking that he is going to be the Chief Minister, and that is why he said about these things, which we can understand. It is not out of the sympathy towards the farmers he is saying. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: The ambition is good.
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Sir, there are no better roads to travel. There are no buses to go to the villages. Even cars will not be able to go there. They must go and see the villages. Sir, he is living in the city and so, he cannot understand. That is the problem.
Sir, it is difficult to travel from my house to airport. It is about eight to ten kilometres. It will take one hour and thirty minutes to reach airport. That is the position in the city. The Government has to spend more money now. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude now.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Why are you so touchy?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Sir, it is because of our rule for 30 years, the city has become beautiful. Anybody who comes from outside wants to go to Bangalore and then only to Delhi, and it is because of us and not because of them. They were there only for 20 months, and they think that they have done everything. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is the problem. This is not the Karnataka election meeting. [h25] SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : Sir, the Government must enhance the housing allocations. For the green houses also, they must enhance the amount from Rs.25,000 to Rs. 30,000 per house.
With these few words, I thank the Government for having given us the very good budget here.
MR. SPEAKER: Now, Shri P. Karunakaran. You have got 10 minutes. You please conclude your speech within those 10 minutes.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN (KASARGOD): Sir, my Constituency is bordering Karanataka, so, I have the right to speak on this subject.
MR. SPEAKER: There is some fallout there also! … (Interruptions)
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN : Sir, I fully support the Karnataka Budget presented by our hon. Finance Minister. We have the rare occasion to discuss the State Budget in Parliament.
MR. SPEAKER: It is not desirable also.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN : Yes, Sir.
It shows that our Finance Minister is compelled to present this Budget because there is no House in Karnataka. The experiences of democracy in various States give good lessons to our political parties. After the last Assembly elections in Karnataka, there was a Government of JD(S) and Congress combine. But it lasted only for a short period of time. I do not want to go into the details as to why that Government got destabilized. Then, the honeymoon began with the JD(S) and the BJP. It is sorry to state that that honeymoon also did not last long.
Why did this happen? The uncertainty is still there in Karnataka. You may blame the JD(S) or the Congress may blame the JD(S), but who are the real sufferers? The real sufferers are the people of Karnataka… (Interruptions) You are not going to get it because your approach in regard to the national issues and various other issues is such that the people are going to teach you many things.
Sir, I do not want to go into the every details. But I think that the Congress has to learn and study from those experiences. We want that there should be a secular Government in Karnataka. Why the JD(S) went with the BJP, and why the BJP went with its illegal affairs with the JD(S) is not yet clear now. It is only the self-interest and the power-sharing… (Interruptions)
SHRI R.L. JALAPPA : It is nothing else but only Not recorded MR. SPEAKER: That will be deleted from the records.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN : Sir, we have already pointed out this. What he has said earlier has been proven true.
Coming to the Karnataka Budget, I would like to make only two or three points. Sixty per cent people of Karnataka are dependent on agriculture. The annual growth rate of agriculture in the State has fallen from 3.9 per cent in 1995 to 0.9 per cent in 2006. It is true that in many of the States, it is the agricultural sector, which has suffered the most because of various reasons.
Sir, about 14 per cent of the budgetary expenditure was spent for the year 2007-08. But at the same time, there seems to be no tangible result for removing the distress of the people. The main issue is that only 23 lakh farmers out of 79 lakh farmers in the State receive institutional credit from agriculture. The small farmers are largely left out from the institutional credit. There are 2,800 Rural Bank Branches in the State. The Cooperative Rural Banks and the Scheduled Banks together should be able to raise the coverage of the farmers from the present 23 lakh to, at least, double this number.
15.39 hrs. (Shri Varkala Radhakrishnan in the Chair) Sir, without giving much attention to the agricultural sector, it is really impossible for Karnataka to give relief to their farmers; to get the better production; and also to have better results with regard to this scheme.
Sir, there are two more issues, which I would like to highlight. As the hon. Member, Shri Ananth Kumar very rightly said, it is good that there is an international airport in Bangalore.[r26] Sir, Bangalore is the best city as far as our country is concerned. It is said that the people from other parts of the country also go to Bangalore because of its weather. So, the new Greenfield airport should be welcomed. It is already constructed. We have got the invitation also for the inauguration.
At the same time, among 126 airports of the country, the employees of the Airport Authority are going on a non-cooperation strike from today onwards. These unions have approached the Government. They are not against the new airport, the Greenfield airport. But, at the same time, both the Bangalore and Hyderabad airports have got a very long history. Large numbers of problems are there. The traders and also other persons have all come together. So, the Government should not take have any intention against the new airport; but, at the same time, the present Bangalore airport can be used for the domestic purposes and for other uses. Otherwise, it would become more difficult. So, that issue has to be taken seriously by the Government.
The second issue is with regard to Tulu language. Kerala Government has formed a Tulu Academy. We have invited the Karnataka leaders also to participate in that function. I think there are such academies in Karnataka also. But you see that there are about 15 lakh people speaking Tulu language in Kerala as well as in Karnataka. I am coming from Kasargod. A good number of people in Karnataka are speaking Tulu. It is a demand from the people. The Tulu language has no script. But it is developing now. The demand is that this language should be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. I think all the sections of the people either from the Treasury Benches or the Opposition benches will fully agree with this. This is the demand that they have been raising for a long time. I do not know whether Karnataka Government, either that of the Congress or the JD(S) or the BJP, has raised this issue. I do not know it. … (Interruptions)
SHRI D.V. SADANAND GOWDA : We have also placed that matter before the Central Government. But no action has been taken. Just like Kodava and Konkani languages we have also raised about Tulu. … (Interruptions)
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN : Sir, I participated in a big gathering in Karnataka and also in Bediyuraka, that is in Kasargod. All the Parties demanded it. I would request the Government to consider this because there are a number of languages which have been included in the Eighth Schedule. This language has got such a great tradition and really a number of scholars and Ph.D. degree holders and other artists have asked for it which we can see. I would request that this also has to be taken up.
Sir, the other two issues that I want to mention are these. Being the border State, there should be some understanding and interaction between Karnataka and the State of Kerala. As you can see that in the Railway Budget we have proposed, a new railway line that is between Kanangad and Kannanur and Kaniyur. I propose to extend it to Subrahmanyam. In Kerala, especially in the northern parts, that is a tourist destination. Subrahmanyam is also a pilgrim destination. There is no route to reach this place either by road or by other ways. Of course, in this you should get the assistance of Karnataka. It can be from either the Treasury Benches or the Opposition Benches, whatever you are going to do.
Like that, there should be some services in the roadside also. There are forests in the two States. When we go either by road or by the Railways, these forests become a big problem. We can reduce the distance from Kerala or from Kannanur or Kasargod to go to Karnataka. When we go through Kananur it takes about 800 kilometres. When we go via Mangalore it takes about 500 kilometres. But when we go through this line, it would take only 172 kilometres. The two State Governments should take an active interest. It is not only for the State of Kerala or the State of Karnataka but there may be people who go to Subrahmanyam or the Bekkal tourist centre or to any other places for whom it would be beneficial.
These issues also should be taken care of. With these three issues, I once again support this Budget.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Shri Shailendra Kumar – not present.
SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN (TRICHUR): Sir, I support this Budget. It is due to some very unfortunate political developments that took place in Karnataka that the Budget of Karnataka is introduced in Parliament. When I say the unfortunate political incidents that took place in Karnataka, it actually brings shame on our politics because the parties which were elected by the people and came to power as a coalition, they broke the coalition not after any new development that took place where the people wanted the coalition to break. It was unadulterated defection, organising defection and it was "आया राम-गया राम " kind of politics that brought Karnataka into this plight. When we are discussing this Budget today, it is a compulsion. As the hon. Speaker pointed out, we wish that we will not get any more opportunity to discuss Karnataka Budget in Parliament.
When I look at Karnataka, it is a beautiful State with lot of developments having taken place, but as my friend just now mentioned, Karnataka has become a State like many other States where a large number of suicides of peasantry have taken place. It is unfortunate that it takes place in Kerala also. All the measures taken by the Government so far could not put an end to this. So, when Karnataka Budget is now being discussed, it seems that agriculture is not given the attention that it deserves. So, some special attention should be given to problems of agriculture in that State so that at least these suicides of peasants taking place in that State could be put an end to.
Then, Sir, there are infrastructural developments that are required. I think, Karnataka has a huge potential of tourism development. Probably it is as beautiful as Kerala is. It is a kind of extension – either Karnataka is extended to Kerala or Kerala is extended to Karnataka. But I find that it is unfortunate that this aspect of development of tourism has not been given any importance by the Governments which have so far ruled in Karnataka or now, by the Centre. So, at least, whoever comes to power in future – everybody is wishing to come to power – this aspect of tourism should be given a special interest so that it will bring a lot of benefit to the people of Karnataka.
Now I do not want to take much of your time. You are also getting restive. I wish Karnataka people well. I wish that after the election, which will come very soon, a secular and democratic Government will come in Karnataka. I hope, the political parties in Karnataka will behave in a more mature fashion rather than the fashion in which they have behaved in the past.
Sir, it was a shameful thing that in a very educated State like yours, MLAs were paraded and brought to the resorts of Kerala in herds and kept there. That kind of unfortunate thing should not happen in future. So, I wish the State well and hope that the people will do well by selecting a secular and democratic Government in Karnataka in future.
With these words, I support the Budget.
[SS27] MR. CHAIRMAN: The next speaker is Shri D. V. Sadanand Gowda. We are mainly discussing about the Vote on Account. Hence, I expect that you would be brief while making your speech, and try to conclude quickly.
*SHRI D.V. SADANAND GOWDA (MANGALORE) : Sir, I would like to speak elaborately in Kannada. We have been demanding classical status for Kannada language for the last four years, but it has not been accorded that status so far. People of this great nation should understand the importance and the richness of the Kannada language. That is the reason why I am speaking in Kannada, otherwise I am not against English or Hindi. The Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram ji knows Kannada. He can understand my Kannada speech. People of entire Karnataka have demanding classical status for Kannada language in one voice. Similarly, as it has been raised by the Hon’ble Member Shri. Karunakaran, who belongs to my neighbouring state Kerala, Tulu language should be included in the Eight Schedule of the constitution of India. It is a long pending issue before the centre. It is a very genuine demand. We have personally met the Hon’ble Prime Minister, discussed this issue, and requested him to take immediate necessary steps in this regard.
I would say that this vote on account should not have been discussed in this august House. It is an example of how cannot expect a popular Budget when there is no elected Government. This Budget is neither pro-people nor pro-farmers. No new schemes, programmes have been announced. I would only say that this Budget has retained all the welfare programme of the popular Budget introduced by the former Finance Minister of Karnataka Shri B.S.Yeddyurappa during previous Government. It is merely continuation of the previous Government’s Budget.
I am of the opinion that every Budget which is presented by the Finance Minister should have some new initiatives to mete out the day-to-day needs of the people. A Budget should give priority to tackle emerging problems of the current year. But this Budget has no such proposals, no new initiatives, because this *English translation of the speech originally delivered in Kannada Budget was prepared by the officers. They can give only statistics. They are not aware of the problems of the common people. Therefore, I would like to make it clear that new programmes and new initiative should be there in the Budget. I do not know whether you are setting my point or not. Practically, what I am telling you is when there is no elected Government and no people’s representatives, such things will happen. The officers are not aware of the needs of the people. They are not aware of the particular’s , what should be included in the Budget etc. They will only depend on their knowledge required in the Air Conditioned rooms and only those matters come into Budget. That is what I am telling you. You could not come out with a popular Budget. You are not according the classical status to Kannada language. What happened to you, I am speaking in Kannada to impress upon you to accord classical status to Kannada language. There are agitations, protests are being staged by the people of Karnataka demanding the classical status to Kannada language. But you have no respect for Karnataka and the people of Karnataka. You are insulting the Kannada people. It is not fair. I am telling all these things because Shri P.Chidambaram ji knows Kannada very well as he hails from neighbouring state Tamil Nadu. He can understand the sentiments and feelings of the people of Karnataka. … (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude.
SHRI D.V. SADANAND GOWDA : I don’t want to learn anything from you. I know there is an interior… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN : Hon’ble Member, you address the Chair, otherwise you will go away from the topic, if you look there.
SHRI D.V.SADANAND GOWDA : I will look at you Sir, I am very happy to look at you as you are helping a lot of youngsters like me. That is why I am addressing you only Sir, *If a Budget prepared by the team of a officers, who have no concerns of the common people, and are not aware of the pulse of the common people, that would only remain confined to statistics. The present Budget is a very good example of such Budget. As it has been said by the Hon’ble Member Shri Ananth Kumar if at all we want popular pro-people Budget it would be possible only by the elected Government. Then only we can safeguard the interest of the people of the state.
Coming to the farmers issue, in the last two Budgets former Finance Minister of Karnataka Shri B.S.Yeddyurappa ji took a land mark step in the very first year to provide farm loan @ 4% interest to the farmers. Similarly during his second Budget he waived off farm loan up to Rs. 25,000/- in order to help the farmers to come out of the clutches of the money leaders and to control the suicides being committed by farmers. He had also taken steps to waive off the interest of loans of the farmers. But in the present vote on account there is no scheme to protect the interest of the farmers.
In the Union Budget the Hon’ble Finance Minister has announced the Rs.60,000 crore scheme to waive-off farm loans of the farmers. But sir, in no way this would come to rescue of the farmers of Karnataka as it was already introduced in Karnataka by our State Government. These are no defaulters in Karnataka as on 31st March,2007. Because of the pro-farmers steps taken by Shri B.S.Yeddyurappa, today farmers are living with great self respect. I am saying this fact as it has been reported in the Crime Record Bureau of the Government of India. Suicide incidents in Karnataka has come down in the past one year.
All the credit for this achievement should go to Shri B.S.Yeddyurappa, former Finance Minister, who has introduced various pro-people programmes in his Budget. But Union Budget presented by the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister P.Chidambaram ji is not helping the farmers of the State of Karnataka as all the * English translation of the speech originally delivered in Kannada farmers have got great relief from the loan waiving scheme of the previous Government. No farmer has been out left from this debt-relief scheme. Therefore, I would like to suggest that the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambram ji should take steps to waive off the loan of all the small marginal farmers, who owe to the banks upto 31st December 2007- Hon’ble Minister Shri K.H.Muniyappa ji is well aware of this fact. I urge upon the Hon’ble Finance Minister to take steps in this regard. … (Interruptions)
You should waive off of all this loan, you should be determined to do that. You should not simply say that you will do it.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Your time is over.
SHRI D.V. SADANAND GOWDA : Representatives from Karnataka can tell the facts. Other cannot say about Karnataka only those who knows about Karnataka they should speak … (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI): Sir, I just draw the attention for a minute sir, the Business Advisory Committee has allotted 2 hours time for the Karnataka Budget discussion. Followed by ordinance of the People’s Representative Act. We have to complete it today. The time is allot to the party according to two hours. If it continues beyond that sir, Government will be in extreme difficulty to dispose two business, because tomorrow is General Budget discussions starts sir, and Friday is the only day for him to reply. Therefore I will appeal to this Sir, time allotted for the discussion could be shared proportion to the parties and beyond that Sir, if some body wants to speak something … (Interruptions) I am not against any member.
I am appealing through you to all the hon. Members to co-operate.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Yes. This is not General Budget.
SHRI D.V. SADANAND GOWDA: I will take another two minute and I will conclude sir.
Sir, what is there in the present is the continuation of all the schemes of the previous Government. But the Budget has not come out with the details of expenditure of previous Budget allotment. For example to convene Assembly Session in Belagavi our Government have allotted Rs.250 crore to make the people of the part of region to feel proud. But there is no mention about its expenditure in the present Budget only Rs.50 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
For the construction of High-Speed Rail connectivity to provide infrastructure facility to connect the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli from Bangalore city this Budget has earmarked only Rs.5 crore. This is not sufficient even to pay consultant charges and preliminary preparations, sir. I do not understand why such a meagre amount has been earmarked. That is why I would like say that this Budget is not at all able to protect the interest of the common people and it is unable to allocate sufficient funds for development of infrastructure facilities in the rapidly growing Bangalore city. There is no mention of overall development of Bangalore. The Budget says it has Rs.2973 crore surplus. But I would like to ask the Hon’ble Finance Minister why this surplus amount has not been utilized to facilitate the small and marginal farmers of the state.
I have no doubt that the present Budget has retained all the good things of the previous Government. But there is no newness in the Budget and no scheme has been mentioned pertaining to farmers and the common people. It is just a mechanical exercise. Another thing I would like to mention is that he has presented vote on account for the period of six months. Therefore I would like to make a submission to the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram to consider this vote on account only for three months. As it has also been hinted by the Election Commission that the Assembly Elections in Karnataka is likely to be conducted as early as possible. Therefore the vote on account should be considered only for three months and make it convenient to have full-fledged discussion on Budget by the newly elected representatives in the Karnataka Assembly so that the interests of the people of Karnataka should be protected with pro-people and a popular Budget in Karnataka. I hope that the dreams of our people would be realized as early as possible. With this I express my deep gratitude to you, for the opportunity that you have given to me and I conclude my speech.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shrimati Tejasvini Gowda, please be brief. Make a small speech because after all this is a matter of the President’s Rule and they are bringing in a Vote on Account and a small Budget. Why should we worry about it?
SHRIMATI TEJASVINI GOWDA (KANAKAPURA): Sir, it is not a happy moment for any lover of democracy to speak in the Parliament about a State Budget. I would like to ask my friends on the other side as to who is responsible for this situation.
SHRI D.V. SADANAND GOWDA : Totally the Congress.
SHRIMATI TEJASVINI GOWDA : It is surprising that while Ananth Kumarji and my friend Sadanand Gowdaji were speaking even by mistake they did not mention the names of their good friends in JD(S) or of the former Chief Minister Mr. Kumaraswamy. That means, they are so cautious … (Interruptions)
SHRI D.V. SADANAND GOWDA : The JD(S) and Congress started it.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the main speech.
(Interruptions)* … SHRIMATI TEJASVINI GOWDA : I heard my friends patiently and I expect the same patience from them.
Sir, while I rise here to support this most pro-people Budget on behalf of the UPA Government when there is President’s Rule in Karnataka. It is the most democratic Budget because all the pro-people proposals are carried forward. They must feel happy for that. The Congress Governments and the UPA Government never indulged in politics of vengeance. I sincerely expect my friends to compliment this Government for presenting this pro-people Budget.
I would like to register my sincere thanks to the Governor, hon. Rameshwar Thakurji for democratically conducting a meeting with the Members of Parliament from the State before proposing this Budget. He heard all our proposals in the * Not recorded Vidhana Saudha and this Budget was prepared democratically. We cannot blame bureaucrats because there is no other way to do this. When there is no popular Government, what can one do? After 1971 this is the second time that we are presenting the State’s Budget in the Parliament, as a colleague from the Left parties also said. We do not want to see more such situations.
My sincere thanks to Chidambaramji, the hon. Finance Minister in the UPA Government headed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhji, guided by UPA Chairman, Madam Soniaji, for including many pro-people, women-oriented, health-oriented, farmers-oriented, and workers-oriented proposals in this Budget. This is not an election budget.[KMR28] Elections were compulsory for everybody – whether one is sitting on this side or that side. It is up to the people. As a national policy party with 123 years of historical legacy with us, Congress Party has every political right to suggest when there is a Presidential rule about the pro-people policies. When we are welcoming BJP’s proposals; when we are welcoming JD(S)’s proposal, there is nothing wrong in our proposal as a national political party. That is all. When we continued with the four per cent agri loan or Bhagya Jyoti schemes, they do not see any political hand in it. When we proposed some developmental proposals, they fear about the elections and that Congress would come back to power in Karnataka. They are dreaming because we have done a lot of pro-people work. I am sure that the people of Karnataka would ensure a secular and popular Government in Karnataka definitely.
A lot of emphasis has been given to the agricultural sector, particularly the total allocations under the head `agriculture and horticulture’ has been increased to Rs.1,564 crore as against Rs.1,315 crore. Sir, Rs.230 crore has been earmarked for special initiatives under the agri-horticulture to improve the economic conditions of the farmers. This effort should be appreciated. This is in addition to the Rs.184 crore budgeted under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Important programme under Agriculture Department is seed supply at subsidised prices, crop insurance, support for farm mechanisation, subsidy for drip irrigation would continue. Sir, Rs.108 crore has been provided under the comprehensive watershed development project. Sir, Rs. 10 crore has been allocated for recharging the groundwater. As you know, alarmingly groundwater level is lowering down in Karnataka. Hence, it is a good measure. Sir, Rs.1,542 crore has been allotted to major, medium and minor irrigation. Today, water is the lifeline for the farming community. Our Government at the Centre has given a lot of emphasis to improve the condition of the farmers. That is why, even though they have given this money, I expect and I would like to request Shri Chidambaram ji to hike this money for irrigation. Everywhere, irrigation should be the prime concern for the interests of the farming community. Agricultural credit through cooperative credit under four per cent scheme was brought during the JD (S)-BJP coalition Government. In spite of my political opposition to their policies, I sincerely compliment, and the whole credit goes to Shri Kumaraswamy. This scheme was brought when he was the Chief Minister. Of course, the Finance Minister was from the BJP. Not even by mistake, they mentioned the name of Shri Kumaraswamy. Since he belongs from my constituency, I am mentioning here. They have done this. I sincerely plead our Minister, Shri Chidambaram ji to apply this four per cent all over the nation also. … (Interruptions) Of course, it is for the farmers. I do not do politics out of it. They have brought this four per cent scheme. Hence, I compliment them. At the same time, when they were doing some negative things, I opposed them with equal voice their anti-people policies. Sir, Rs.40 crore has been provided their anti-people policies and Rs.40 crore has been provided as the State support for the Yeshyeshwani Yojana, a health scheme. This health scheme was brought during the Congress-led Government headed by Shri S.M. Krishna to support the poor people’s health. For that purpose, in this Budget, they have provided Rs.40 crore and I welcome this move. At the same time, Rs.39.6 crore has been provided under the Rashtriya Krishi Yojana and also Rs.25 crore has been provided for the initiative in animal husbandry in line with the Eleventh Plan objectives. Macha Akshaya Yojana is for the fisheries community and for those fishermen who are suffering without hygiene. That is in coastal belt. Coastal people living in Karwar, Kerala border would derive benefit out of it. A sum of Rs.15 crore has been budgeted for this, and Rs.26 crore has been allotted for the development of fisheries under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. And also a sum of Rs.138 crore has been earmarked for the Karnataka Sustainable Forest Management and Bio-Diversity Conservation Project. Social forestry work through panchayat would get Rs.20 crore. [r29] We are strengthening panchayats, to which I will come afterwards. Even for the panchayats, we have enhanced Rs. 1 lakh per year; earlier, an amount of Rs.5 lakh used to be given to the panchayats; now, we have enhanced it to Rs.6 lakh, through which we are going to strengthen the democratic unit, the primary unit of democracy – panchayats.
The main focus has been given to continue PDS. We are giving the BPL beneficiaries, rice at the rate of Rs.3 per kg. We continue this. If at all, we are anti-people or we are playing politics with them, we would not have continued with these pro-people projects.
The next point is education.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude. You have covered all the points.
SHRIMATI TEJASVINI GOWDA : Coming to education, I will say that they have taken infrastructure to the new high schools, polytechnics, pre-university colleges, first grade colleges, engineering colleges, etc. For that Rs.200 crore has been allocated; this is really a very welcome step.
One more point is in the case of health and medical education. ‘ Free health kits to the mother of newborn – this is one of the most humane programme; this is continued. For that, in this Budget, we have given more money, and the support for institutes like VIMS, Kidwai Memorial Institute, KIMS, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, will continue. They will be the beneficiaries.
When it comes to the welfare of the weaker sections, our Government has increased considerable amount; we have earmarked Rs.1684 crore; this is a huge enhancement. All the existing schemes of Ganga Kalyana, Land Purchase and Reimbursement of Scholarships for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Minorities will continue with higher allocations. They increased the monthly charges also. If we speak, we cannot uplift the conditions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. We know how they are living even after 60 years of Independence. They are living in worst conditions. It is our democratic responsibility to increase their lifestyle. So, we increased the hostel facilities for them.
We are women parliamentarians; we are minority in this Parliament. But our Government has done a wonderful job in this Budget for women and child development. The outlay on women and child development has been increased from Rs.886 crore to Rs.953 crore. The existing scheme of Bhagyalakshmi is to continue with an outlay of Rs.192 crore; the Stree Shakti Groups, the self-help groups continue; ICDS schemes continue. The Stree Shakti Groups will get Rs.17.5 crore for their marketing infrastructure. They produce so many things in the rural background, but there was no marketing facility. To strengthen the marketing facility, they have allocated Rs.17.5 crore. My sisters living all over Karnataka are doing wonderful jobs; they are bringing good name to the banking system by paying honestly the loans; I would like to thank the hon. Finance Minister for that.
An amount of Rs.25 crore has been allocated to construct anganwadi buildings. The other day, my colleague and the hon. Minister Shrimati Renuka Ji was pleading with all the Members to provide more funds to the anganwadi buildings; here, the Government of Karnataka has shown the way by providing Rs.25 crore for this.
I will come to rural development. A lot of fund has been allocated to urban development; that should not be Bangalore-centric or city-centric. Today, to end the regional imbalance, we should allocate equally; we should develop satellite towns around Bangalore, to minimize the traffic congestion; unless we allocate funds equally, it will be urban-centric. Compared to urban development funds, rural development funds is a little bit lacking. I want to see more rural development funds, because due to the floods in Karnataka recently, a lot of roads were destroyed. [MSOffice30] Our PWD Department needs more fund to build good roads. If roads are bad they will curse every politician. Therefore, we need to increase funds to that account.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Please conclude now. You have covered a number of points.
SHRIMATI TEJASVINI GOWDA : One last point, Sir. Dr. Nanjundappa’s Report has shown the backwardness of many districts in my State. To reduce the regional imbalance the hon. Minister has made 58 per cent increase in the allocation towards this end. This is one of the wonderful projects and I would like to compliment the Minister for that. As a result of this, districts like Gulbarga, Chitradurga, including my Kanakpura constituency which was suffering from backwardness will be benefited.
As for the Opposition’s unhappiness towards Congress, I would like to say that it is their internal problem. We never indulge in internal politics to bring down BJP. My friends should remember that the Congress has nothing to do with their problem. It is not very easy to become a ruling party in Karnataka. We will not give up. Definitely we are going to come back in Karnataka. We will show them the way we can build this nation. We can build a better State than BJP.
MR. CHAIRMAN: The next speaker is Shri M.Shivanna. I may tell you that there is election in Karnataka immediately. So, do not exhaust all your points here. You have all the opportunity to speak during Karnataka election but here you may confine to the Vote on Account only. Do not exhaust all your points here.
*SHRI M. SHIVANNA (CHAMRAJANAGAR) : Gold was sold in the streets of Hampi, the capital of Vijayanagara empire in Karnataka during the regime of Krishnadevaraya. But now, during the central rule the life of the common man has because very difficult. All the developmental works have come to stand still in the absence of an elected Government.
Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram ji has presented Karnataka Budget. I respect him. He is a well known economist. He has presented Budgets for our nation for seven times. Because of a constitutional crisis in Karnataka he has presented this vote an account. Whoever the person may be in the place of Shri P.Chidambaram ji he / she should have done the same. We should not make allegations against Shri P.Chidambaram ji.
His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka Shri Romeshwar Thakur ji has convened a meeting of all the Hon’ble Members of Parliament and officers to discuss the focus areas of the Budget. We have made many suggestions.
Sir, this Budget has retained all the welfare programmes introduced by the previous Government led by former Chief Minister Shri H.D.Kumara Swamy and former Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Shri B.S.Yeddyurappa during their tenure.
Now in the Union Budget the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram ji has announced Rs. 60,000 crore for the loan waiver scheme. But such loan waiving scheme for small and marginal farmers has already been introduced by the JD(S) –BJP coalition Government in Karnataka under the leadership of our young leader Shri H.D.Kumara Swamy. Our Government has provided the farm loan to the farmers @ 4% while it is 7% in the Union Government. Such a revolutionary scheme has been introduced by our leader Shri H.D. Kumara Swamy, for the first in the history of this great nation.
* English translation of the speech originally delivered in Kannda Now this Budget has nothing special to mention but it is only the continuation of the previous Budget. Only thing to be mentioned is that the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister has increased the allocation in certain areas. For example he has allocated Rs.6 crore had given in the previous Budget. Similarly grants to the schools, colleges have been increased. Another thing I would like to mention is that Karnataka is likely to have Assembly Election within three months. Therefore, this vote on account should have been only for three months.
Sir, I would like to draw your attention towards some burning problems of Karnataka. Lack of infrastructure, transportation bottle necks and farmer’s suicide and unreasonable M.S.P. for sugar cane, etc. The loan waiver scheme of the Union Government is no way to rescue the farmers in Karnataka state. This scheme may give relief to the farmers of other state but not to Karnataka.
With this I conclude my speech and permit me to lay the remaining part of my speech.
Now, the State Budget has to focus on welfare measures for farmers and weaker sections of the society. It has to make higher allocation of funds for development of key sectors like agriculture irrigation, industry, roads and transport.
The State of Karnataka has sought $ 200 million more assistance from the World Bank for the Karnataka State Highway Improvement Project (K-SHIP). The department of Economic Affairs has to give its nod for getting a loan of $ 200 million from World Bank for (K-SHIP). In addition to this, Karnataka is seeking $ 200 million more as assistance. Now, the centre has to help the state to get this amount i.e. $400 million.
Regarding retaining the HAL airport there are so many arguments. Some experts have said that it is disastrous to retain the second airport. On the other hand there are many who are in favour of retaining HAL airport. Now the ball is the court of the centre. I hope the centre will take a wise decision in this matter.
My suggestion in this regard is that BANGALORE SHOULD BE A MULTI-AIRPORT CITY as Bangalore is all set to witness the highest air traffic and passenger growth in the years to come. Otherwise, air traffic will be like road traffic in Bangalore city, full of chaos, confusion, and daily accidents. We should think of further development of the fastest growing silicon city of India.
The centre has identified three projects for inter-linking of rivers (ILR) and it hopes to sign agreements with the concerned states very shortly. One of the projects which has the centre’s focus is the Krishna Godavari link involving Andhra Pradesh Maharastra and Karnataka. The centre is making efforts to arrive at a consensus with the states in this regard. The Hon’ble Minister for Water Resources Saifudolin Soz has already told that his Ministry has written to all states concerned to speed up the process. I want the centre to give further clarification in this regard.
Four Hydel Power Projects were to start this year, two in Karnataka and two in Tamil Nadu. But due to misunderstanding between the two states these projects have been dropped. The two projects which were selected for setting up Hydro Power Projects are (i) Shimsa (about 400 M.W) and (ii) Mekedatu (about 400 M.W). Now the centre has to take initiative, convince both the states and start the construction work of both projects in Karnataka and two in Tamil Nadu.
Regarding tourism, a number of projects are pending in Karnataka. Karnataka has requested the centre to give financial assistance for a rope way to Chamundi Hills at Mysore. Similarly tenders were called by Karnataka, long ago for an ambitions project at Nandi Hills near Bangalore to construct the following :
i) Arial Rope Way ii) Parking Way iii) Viching Tower iv) Heritage Museum v) Laser Shows vi) Children’s Park vii) Convention Hall viii) Bungee Jumping ix) Commercial Complex x) SPA xi) Guiding Centre
A private company SPML has offered 136 crores for developing this historical tourist spot. It is shocking that TIPPU’s palace in Bangalore has been neglected by the Tourism Department and Archaeological Department of the Government of India. The Archaeological Survey of India should clarify the position.
The most burning problem is that of farmers. This august House is well aware that every 30 minutes a farmer is committing suicide. Karnataka is not an exception to this. The sugar cane growers were getting Rs.860 per tonne. A couple of days ago the State Government has enhanced this price by Rs.125 per tonne. This is irritating. Now the farmers will get Rs.985 per tonne? The prices of all inputs including water fertilizers, perticides etc. have increased. They are demanding Rs.1500/- per tonne for sugar cane. I demand that the centre should give at least Rs.1400/- per tonne for sugar cane.
I hope that the centre is well aware of the problems of the people of Karnataka and accordingly the Hon’ble Finance Minister will allocate sufficient funds for Karnataka.
Sir, I thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to ventilate the grievances of the people of Karnataka. With these words I conclude my speech.
16.21 hrs. (Shrimati Krishna Tirath in the Chair) MADAM CHAIRMAN: You try to conclude within two minutes as you have already taken seven minutes. You can lay the rest of your speech.
Now, Shri Suresh Angadi to speak.
SHRI SURESH ANGADI (BELGAUM): Madam, Karnataka is one of the important States in the country which is famous for the agriculture, IT sector, BT sector as well as education.[R31] Sir, my district Belgaum is a border area and most of the farmers are engaged in the cultivation of sugarcane. During the JDS and the BJP regime in Karnataka, the Deputy-Chief Minister and also the Finance Minister of that Government sanctioned assistance of Rs. 25,000/- per hectare to the sugarcane growing farmers in our area till 31st of March. But this facility has not been extended in the Budget as proposed by the Central Government. I would like to request him to make provision for that assistance to the farmers in the Budget.
The second point is about an irrigation project, namely, Madhai Yojana. This is a drinking water project meant particularly for the areas in Dharwar, Hubli and all such places. This project has been pending for a very long time. The Minister for Water Resources is present in the House. I would like to request him to take up this matter. Already the Government of Karnataka has started work on this project. With the completion of this project the drinking water problem of the area could be solved once for all. I would like to request the hon. Minister to allocate funds for early completion of this project. The work is already under progress. But no mention of this project has been found in the Budget that has been presented.
The third point that I would like to make is about the construction of the Swarna Vidhan Soudha. A sum of Rs. 250 crore had been allocated for construction of this building by the ex-Chief Minister of Karnataka and this is being constructed in Belgaum as this is considered a border district. The Mahajan Commission also has been constituted to look into this border dispute. But I would like to mention here that in the recently held elections to the Corporations, a Kannad Mayor has been elected and thereby bringing an end to the border dispute. I would like to request the hon. Finance Minister to allocate a sum of Rs. 150 crore for the construction of this building. Moreover, the site in which it is scheduled to be constructed is now under the control of the Army and the place also is quite remote. The site should be brought near to the national highway. This being under the control of the Army, they are not willing to give away this land though the land belongs to the Government of Karnataka. I would request the hon. Finance Minister to look into the matter and make necessary arrangements for acquisition of this land.
SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA (HASSAN): Why do you worry about that? You wait for two months and then you would take over that.
SHRI SURESH ANGADI : Sir, thank you for your wishes. That land should be given and the site also needs to be shifted from a remote area to nearby the national highway. Such monuments, like that of the Parliament and all, would be a place of visit for the people of the next generation.
Sir, my next point is that there is no fund allocated for the Belgaum Airport. It is a very old airport and it is there since the British regime. The hon. Finance Minister has visited that place and he knows the kind of problems being faced there. The Government has to allocate a sum of Rs. 12 crore for the further acquisition of land. Land though has been acquired but some more land needs to be acquired by the State Government, but no provision of funds for that has been made in this Budget.
Sir, my next point is about the medical college. We require an additional sum of Rs. 40 crore this year for this purpose. But no fund for this purpose has been earmarked. I would like to request the hon. Minister to make the necessary provision for this purpose.
Sir, finally this is not a people friendly Budget. This Budget has been presented with an eye on the elections. But there is an apprehension in the minds of the people about elections being held in the near future because the Finance Minister has sought sanction of the Budget for the next six months.
With these words, I conclude my speech.
SHRI IQBAL AHMED SARADGI (GULBARGA): Madam, at the outset, I support this Budget wholeheartedly because this Budget is a pro-people Budget without additional tax burden. We have to compliment as the Budget has not mentioned any increase in taxation.
The second significant aspect of this Budget is, sufficient funds have been allotted to set right the regional imbalance. I would like to bring to the kind attention of the Finance Minister that sufficient amount of Rs. 2489 crore have been allotted for the removal of regional imbalance. It has been pointed out by Nanjundappa Committee that 144 talukas are most backward areas in Karnataka.
I also want to draw the attention of the Finance Minister that Hyderbad-Karnataka area consisting of Gulbarga, Raichur and Bidar were in erstwhile Nizam State. These are most backward districts in education and employment. There is lowest percentage of education and employment in Gulbarga. So, I would request the Finance Minister that sufficient budget allocation should be made for these backward areas, and special concession and status should also be considered by amending article 371 so that special concessions and privileges will be given to the people of Hyderabad-Karnataka area.
Allocation for rural development has been increased to Rs. 3351 crore and agricultural allocation has also been hiked. In almost all areas like education, health and development of minorities, there has been an increase in allocation. It has been pointed out by other Members. I fully agree with the views of Shri Jalappa on this Budget.
For the development of minorities and backward classes, an amount of Rs. 1684 crores have been allotted in the Plan outlay whereas Rs. 1425 crores had been allotted last year. So, this is a significant increase made for the development and welfare of minorities.
It has been suspected by the Opposition that this Budget is somewhat influenced by politics. I would like to say here that public money has not been stranded as was done by the previous Government but it has been judiciously used for pro-poor policies. In the last Budget, crores of rupees had been allotted to private trusts and private societies. In this Budget, funds have been allotted judiciously and Government has taken care to make allocations judiciously.
I would also like to bring to the kind attention of the Finance Minister that contribution of four per cent loan, interests and continuation of schemes by the previous Government have shut the mouths of Opposition and thus false allegations of biased attitude of the Governor has been disproved. If there had been a biased attitude of the Governor, the previous schemes like four per cent interest and other things would not have been continued and would not have been included in this Budget. So, this is a fair Budget made by the Governor and it is proved that he is not biased in this regard.
Our colleague, Shri Ananth Kumar told that they are going to be in power there. I do not know who prevented whom to be in power. They paraded jointly to Rashtrapati Bhawan also. But what happened to them? When they came back to Bangalore, they did not support each other. Because of that, they are making allegation against the UPA Government. It is because they had a dream… (Interrupt[MSOffice32] ions) MADAM CHAIRMAN : No interruptions please.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI IQBAL AHMED SARADGI : Karnataka has maintained a fiscal deficit of less than three per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. Sufficient allocation has been made for agriculture, horticulture, education, rural development and for the welfare of minorities.
I would like to make a suggestion. The Department of Irrigation is an important one to help the farmers. I would like to suggest that allocation for the Department of Irrigation be increased in order to help the farmers.
With these words, I support the Karnataka Budget.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: I now call upon Shri Prahlad Joshi to speak.
Shri Joshi, I would request you to be brief because the time that was allotted to BJP has been exhausted by Shri Ananth Kumar. So, you kindly take one minute and conclude.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI (DHARWAD NORTH): Whichever be the party, seniors take the time and juniors are left with no time. It applies to all parties. … (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You take one minute and the lay the remaining part of your speech on the Table of the House.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI (DHARWAD NORTH): Thank you Madam. Frankly speaking, I never wanted to speak on this issue within or outside the House because it is a constitutional compulsion to present a Vote on Account. But the way the Treasury Benches complimented themselves by saying that so much allocation has been made, there is so much increase in the allocation, this is the pro-people’s Budget; previous one was not pro-people’s Budget, etc. provoked me to say a few words on the Karnataka Budget.
I would like to mention here about the misrule during the * regime.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: That word is expunged.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : The Budget itself reveals that the revenue expenditure is estimated to be lower than Rs. 1,276.60 crore less than what was estimated. Out of this Rs. 1,276.60 crore, Rs. 442.70 crore is the reduction in the plan expenditure and Rs. 832 crore is the shortfall in the non-plan expenditure.
What does it show? The shortfall in the non-plan expenditure is on account of slight reduction in the expenditure on salaries. But reduction in plan expenditure is on account of slow progress in regard to certain new plans announced during 2007-08. I would like to cite the example of Sandhya Suraksha Yojana, which was announced by Shri Yediyurappa. An amount of Rs. 250 crore was earmarked for that. But till January only Rs. 4 crore have been utilized. Why was this amount not spent? When the Budget was passed in the month of July last year, it was supposed to be expedited. From October to this date, only Rs. 4 crore have been spent.
They are talking about Dr. Nanjundappa Committee. Dr. Nanjundappa Committee which was appointed way back in 2000-01 gave its Report in 2002. Dr. Nanjundappa, who is a renowned economist, gave his Report in 2002. After that Shri S.M. Krishna and Shri Dharam Singh ruled Karnataka. Let my friends from the Congress Party understand that though the Report was accepted, they did not * Not recorded bother to give even a naya paisa as recommended by him for the backward areas of the State, which are more than 140 taluks in number. … (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Shri Joshi, you just mention the points. Please do not elaborate any point because your Party’s time is already over.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except Shri Prahlad Joshi’s speech.
(Interruptions)* … MADAM CHAIRMAN: Shri Joshi, just mention the points only.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : Madam, I am mentioning the points. … (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You are elaborating your points. You are elaborating about Committee Reports. Please do not elaborate. [MSOffice33] SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : Madam, if you allow me, I will complete it within two or three minutes.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : There is no time for your Party now. I have given you one minute. You can make your points.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : I have to make my points.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You can make your points.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : I have not even taken two minutes. You are not allowing me to speak. Please allow me to speak.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You can lay your speech on the Table of the House. What time have you been allotted?
… (Interruptions)
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : I would have completed by this time had you allowed me to speak.
* Not recorded MADAM CHAIRMAN: Some other Members are there from your Party. I will cut their names if you take more time. Then, you are the last Member from your Party.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : Madam, allow me to continue my speech. This is my request.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You can make your point. You have given your name but Shri Ananth Kumar has taken the time. At that time, you told that you would not speak. Now, you are speaking. I told you that I would give you a minute. So, please try to sum up.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : I will complete it within two or three minutes. Please allow me to speak.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: There is no time for your Party.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : A sum of Rs.1500 and odd crore was earmarked in 2007-08 Budget by Shri Yediyurappa. What happened to that? Let the hon. Finance Minister explain, through this House, to the State of Karnataka. How much was spent till December? I would say that not even 50 per cent was spent. Now, they are telling that Rs.2449 crore is earmarked as per the Nanjundappa Committee Report. The fund which was earmarked for the purpose is not at all being used. It is not only this. The fund for the Bagyalakshmi Yojana is not being used. I can quote so many of such things wherein the allocated fund is not being properly used. It is not only that.
I would also like to tell that even there is decreasing trend in revenue receipt. Except the State excise duty, there is decreasing trend in the total tax collection. It shows the inability of the Governor’s rule in the administration of tax collection.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Please lay the part of your speech on the Table of the House.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : I can quote more examples.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Do not take more time now.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : The State irrigation was funded by three heads – one is Plan Outlay, another is the Special Purpose Vehicle to raise funds through bonds and the third one is the Central Assistance. The Special Purpose Vehicle to raise funds through the loan from the Niravari bond is being barred this time. By this, the ongoing irrigation project is going to be hampered. Why has this been done? This has to be explained.
The Kalasabanduri Project, which was referred to by my colleague Shri Suresh Angadi, is purely a drinking water project. The last coalition Government decided to start that project. A sum of Rs.100 crore was earmarked. Then, the Goa Government went to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court did not give the stay.… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Please sum up now.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : Please allow me to make this point. It is a very important issue.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: I am saying that you are having the written speech. You can kindly lay it on the Table of the House.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : This is my last point. Please allow me.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: This must be your last point and not more than that is allowed.
SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI : Please allow me. A sum of Rs.100 crore was earmarked for that. The work began. Then, the Goa Government went to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court did not give the stay. Work is going on. The Supreme Court asked the Central Water Resources Ministry and the concerned to file an affidavit. I would like to know that if any State Government wants to continue with a drinking water project with its own fund, whether the Central Government’s concurrence is necessary or not. For the last six months, the Central Government has not filed its affidavit before the Supreme Court. Why are you not doing that? Hubli, Dharwad and the surrounding hundred cities are suffering from getting a single drop of drinking water. For the last six months, these people are not filing the affidavit.… (Interruptions) So, I urge upon this Government to take proper action. With these I conclude. … (Interruptions)
* The Budget and vote on account of state of Karnataka presented by the Finance Minister in Lok Sabha yesterday is short of anything to be landed.
This Budget has promptly proved beyond doubts about the six months miss rule of the Governor. The Budget itself displayed the revenue expenditure is estimated to be lower by 1276.69 Crores. Out of this 1276.69 crores, Rs. 442.77 cores is reduction in non-plan expenditure and Rs. 833.92 crores is the shortfall in plan expenditure. Shortfall in non-plan revenue expenditure is on account of slightly reduced expenditure on salaries and pensions. Reduced plan expenditure is on account of slower than expected progress in certain new plan schemes announced during the 2007-08 Budget and also externally aided projects.
This is nothing but the clear indication how the Governor's administration in the state involved only in transfer of officers, which was the main agenda of the Congress party. It did not give attention to any development of the state.
The total plan outlay for 2008-09 is estimated at Rs. 21751 Crores, which is nore than the current years outlay of Rs. 17782.56 Crores.
But there is no clear-cut mention in the Budget as to how revenues for the difference in plan outlay is arranged and target is achieved.
The total Budget outlay for 2008-09 is shown as 56542.15 Crores which is an increase of 12% compared to last year Budget. There is indication of increase departmental wise allocation for all ongoing plan schemes but no clear-cut ways for collection of widening tax base.
*.......*This part of the speech was laid on the Table Much is said about the increased earmarking of Rs.2459 Crores for implementation of Dr. Nanjundappa Committee Reports for removal of regional imbalance admittedly the money earmarked last year that is 1571 Crores representing about 63% increase. But the Budget statement itself admits that this amount is not fully spent. Mere increase of allocation itself will not bring the targeted results.
Decreasing trend of revenue receipts: Excepting state excise there is a decreasing trend in tax receipts. It shows the inability of the Governor's rule for better administration of tax collection. The receipts under the Stamp Duty head is considerably decreased. If this trend continues it will be very difficult to speed up the implementation of plan schemes.
Irrigation in the state is a priority sector though allocation is increased it is not enough for completing all the pending projects. Usually the source of raising funds for irrigation in the state are · Plan Outlay · Special purpose vehicle to raise the funds from loans issue of Niravari Bonds.
· Central assistance.
But this time all the Irrigation Corporations are barred from raising the loans for completing some of the irrigation projects. Though it is not good economics to depend on outside source for providing funds for irrigation projects it is required under present circumstances to go for such outside source by these corporations. Thus certainly most of the irrigation projects get stuck and this sector will be put to halt. There is no much explanation why this step is taken by Govt. A wider glance at the budget arrangement indicates another factor i.e. less provision is made for infrastructure.
Only Rs. 100 Cores is allocated for the development of Airports in the state International standard and about 687 acres of required land is being handed over for this purpose. If this is the size of the funds that are provided the infrastructure developmental activities will not get the required boost. The power sector is also other sector, which is not given its due consideration.
One more aspect where this Budget does not indicate any positive mark is its failure to propose for efforts to increase non-tax revenues.
So, in total this Budget is not worthy of any specific direction by which the state moves towards development. It is not a pro-growth Budget, and proved how these six months Governor's administration has plunged the state into the darkness of set back.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: No interruption is permitted. Nothing will come in the record.
(Interruptions)* … MADAM CHAIRMAN: Shri G.M. Siddeswara. Please start your speech. Nothing else will go on record.
(Interruptions)* … * Not recorded *SHRI G.M. SIDDESWARA (DAVANGERE) : Thank you Madam Chairperson, I am very grateful to you for giving me an opportunity to participate in the discussion on Karnataka Budget presented by the Hon’ble Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram for the year 2008-09.
The Budget has no programmes to rescue the farmers, who are in great distress. It has retained all the welfare scheme of the previous Karnataka Government by the then Finance Minister Shri B.S.Yeddyurappaji. he had introduced ten welfare programme to achieve the aim of Welfare State of Karnataka. They are BHAGYALAXMI SCHEME, in which Rs.10,000 was deposited by the Government in the name of girl child. BHAGYALAXMI SCHEME, in which Bicycles were provided to the school students free of cost. Subagha Loan, in which farm loans were provided to the farmers @ 4% and waive off the loan up to Rs. 25,000/- for the benefit of small and marginal farmers.
SUVARNA KAYAKA Scheme under which employment was ensured to the unemployed.
SUVARNAGRAMA Scheme in which Rs.400/- was provide to the elderly people to ensure social security of all the sections of the society.
AMRITA Scheme in which financial assistance was provided the farmers for the development of dairy farming activities.
ADARSH VIVAHA Scheme in which Rs. 10,000/- was provided to poor parents of bridge and bridegroom to be married.
Very importantly, ban on lottery and Arrack was imposed.
All these scheme have been retained but no new scheme have been introduced in the Budget by the hon. Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram.
It is a matter of great concern that no special package for surarcane growers has been announced in Budget. The condition of the cane growers is very pathetic. It has led to farmers committing suicide in large scale.
* English translation of the speech originally delivered in Kannada In the year 2007-08 Rs.916/- crore had been allocated and floated tender to take up the modernization work of the BHADRA CANAL, which falls in jurisdiction of my parliamentary constituency. But only Rs.125/- crore has been spend during the President’s Rule. In this Budget there is no mention of the modernization of the BHADRA CANAL work. Therefore, I would like to request the Hon’ble Finance Minister P.Chidambaram to allocate sufficient funds to take up this work.… (Interruptions)
Madam, I am a new Member and for the first time I am speaking in Kannada.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Your time is over.
*SHRI G.M. SIDDESWARA : Please permit me to speak a few minutes more. Ringing the bell like this scarce me.
Rs. 100 crore had been allocated and tender was also floated for de-siltation work of 22 lakes in Jagalur taluk, Kottur taluk, Hoovina-Hadagali taluk, and Davanagere tuluk, but due to the absence of an elected Government, this work has not been completed. People of this region are suffering from various diseases due to non availability of pure drinking water.
Therefore, I would like to request the Hon’ble Finance Minister to allocate sufficient sum to desiltation work of these 22 lakes in my parliamentary constituency.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Please give your suggestions.
*SHRI G.M. SIDDESWARA : The Hon’ble Finance Minister should take immediate steps to incorporate this in the Budget.
Another thing I would like to mention is that the condition of the national high way is very bad. We can travel from Davanagere to Nelamangala in two hour and fifteen minutes. But from Nelamangala to Bangalore it will take more than three and half hours. It is very difficult to travel in this route as there is delay in repairing works of the roads. Therefore I once again request the Hon’ble Finance Minister to allocate more funds to take up all the developmental works in my constituency. With this, I oppose this Budget and conclude my speech.
MADAM CHAIRMAN : There is no time. Your Party time is over. Please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI C.H. VIJAYASHANKAR (MYSORE): Madam, I have only one suggestion to make to the hon. Minister… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Please give your suggestion to the hon. Minister in writing.
… (Interruptions)
श्री विजय कृष्ण (बाढ़) : हमारी पार्टी को समय नहीं दिया गया। हमें बोलने दीजिए।
MADAM CHAIRMAN: No. Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: No. There is no time. Please take your seat. [r34] … (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: You can give your suggestion to the hon. Minister in writing.
SHRI C.H. VIJAYASHANKAR : Madam, I will take only one minute.
Madam, before December, subsidy worth rupees one lakh was being given to each farmer for purchasing tractor. But now it is being stopped. I would request the hon. Minister that whatever was being given earlier he should try to continue that.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM): Madam Chairperson, it is an honour to present the Budget on behalf of the State of Karnataka, although I sincerely wish that this honour had not fallen upon me and that this honour was bestowed upon the Members of the Karnataka State Legislature and that the State Legislature should have, in the normal course, discussed this Budget.
SHRI H.D. DEVEGOWDA : Since you have got an opportunity! SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: My only pleading in my defence is the Party to which I belong was not responsible for this situation. Those who are responsible for this situation are the ones who are being most vocal today, most numerous today. The collapse of the last Karnataka Government was entirely due to Parties other than the Congress Party.
Be that as it may, I was amused to hear speaker after speaker claiming that all the good things done in Karnataka were under Mr. Yediurappa. One would have thought that the Constitution had been amended in the State of Karnataka that the head of the Government was the Deputy Chief Minister and not the Chief Minister. It is very unusual. But then it is also said that this Budget is anti-people, it merely continues the programmes of the previous Government. If this is anti people and continues the programmes of the previous Government, then the programmes of the previous Government must have been anti people. Sir, there must be some consistency in what they say, some coherence in what they say. You cannot oppose for the sake of opposition.
Let us understand what I am doing today. I did not make this Budget. I make the Union Budget. I present this Budget. This Budget is made by the Governor’s administration with the aid of his advisors and like all Budgets in a President’s Rule, we cannot impose new taxes, we cannot start new programmes, we cannot discontinue any on-going programmes. We can only try to continue the on-going programmes to the best of our ability for the period until which a new Government will be elected.
They asked me why do I ask for a Vote on Account for six months. I asked for a Vote on Account for six months because I do not know when the election will be held. You tell me the date on which the election will be held and I will confine this Vote on Account to one week after that date. Since I do not know on which date the election will be held, it is not within my power to decide the date of election, I am providing for every contingency by taking a Vote on Account for six months. But if an election is held within two months, the new Government will come and present a new Budget, this Vote on Account will come to an end. What are they afraid of, I cannot say. I can only conclude that those who question the Vote on Account for six months do not hope to come back to power and therefore, they put this question… (Interruptions)
SHRI G. KARUNAKARA REDDY (BELLARY): We are very much hopeful.[r35] SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Take it in good spirit. Madam, let me quickly answer some questions. The total outlay for 2008-09 is Rs. 56,542 crore which represents an increase of 12 per cent over 2007-08. That is a significant step-up in the total outlay. The State's annual plan is Rs. 21,751 crore which reflects an increase of 22 per cent over the annual plan of 2007-08. The second part of my statement shows that the Central Government has been fair, unbiased and generous to the State of Karnataka. The Planning Commission has approved a 22 per cent increase in the annual plan for 2008-09.
Madam, the State's own revenues is estimated at Rs. 19,344 crore which represents 17.42 per cent over the Revised Estimates of 2007-08, which shows that the State Administration is confident of collecting good tax revenues next year. A 17 per cent increase in tax revenues is not to be laughed at; it would be good performance. Please remember, this is after no new taxes being imposed upon the people of the State of Karnataka. Madam, 2008-09 will yield a revenue surplus of Rs. 2,972 crore. The State has enjoyed a revenue surplus for the last four years. Please remember that all Governments have had a share in this situation. The Fiscal Responsibility Act of Karnataka was passed in 2002 when the Congress Party was in power. Subsequently, there have been two coalition Governments and through this period Karnataka has become one of the few States which has a revenue surplus. I congratulate all the Governments of Karnataka which have contributed to this revenue surplus situation.
For agriculture and horticulture, the allocation is being increased from Rs. 1,315 crore to Rs. 1,564 crore. Rs. 220 crore is earmarked for special initiatives under agriculture and horticulture. This is in addition to Rs. 184 crore which will come to the State of Karnataka under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. For major, medium and minor irrigation, we are budgeting Rs.4,542 crore. This is in addition to Rs. 500 crore which the Government of India is expected to give under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme. For agricultural credit, through cooperative credit institutions, the subsidised interest rate of 4 per cent will continue. Before you jump to the conclusion that all this is some discovery of any one Party or any one gentleman, let me bring you down to earth, how this has happened. This happens because NABARD gives refinance at 2.5 per cent on the condition that you will lend at 7 per cent. So, the subsidy given by the State Government is from 7 per cent to 4 per cent; a subsidy of 3 per cent. The Government of India also gives a subsidy. NABARD refinances at a low rate and then the State Government adds a subsidy. Everybody has a contribution. Parliament, State Legislature, Central Government, and the State Government have a contribution in reaching the situation where we are lending at 4 per cent for agricultural credit.
A sum of Rs. 40 crore is provided as State's support for Yeshaswini Health Scheme for members of cooperative societies. The existing scheme of providing food-grains at Rs. 3 per kilogram to BPL beneficiaries through the public distribution system will continue. The outlay on education has been increased from Rs. 7,004 crore to Rs. 8,592 crore. The outlay for the health sector is increased from Rs. 1,869 crore to Rs. 2,122 crore. The Janata Health Fund will be provided a corpus of Rs. 10 crore.[r36] 17.00 hrs. As far as new medical colleges are concerned – I think, Shri Suresh Angadi has mentioned this – for all the six medical colleges, the provision for 2008-09 is Rs. 70 crore. In 2007-08, the initial provision was Rs. 60 crore, and in addition, a sum of Rs. 80 crore was provided through supplementary. Likewise, for the next year, the initial provision is Rs. 70 crore. Let an elected Government come and make any further additional provision, if it so desires.
For weaker sections, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, we have provided Rs. 1,684 crore. For Women and Child Development, the allocation is being increased from Rs. 886 crore to Rs. 953 crore. For Rural Development, the outlay is being increased from Rs. 3,064 crore to Rs. 3,350 crore. An important step is this. There is a tradition in Karnataka of giving untied grants to Gram Panchayats. There are 5,628 Gram Panchayats. The untied grant was Rs. 5 lakh per annum and we are increasing it to Rs. 6 lakh per annum per Panchayat. For Public Works, Roads and Bridges, the outlay is being increased from Rs. 3,106 crore to Rs. 3,271 crore. For Infrastructure Development, the outlay is being increased from Rs. 418 crore to Rs. 449 crore. For Railway Projects under a cost sharing arrangement with the Indian Railways, we have earmarked Rs. 200 crore. For Housing and Urban Development for weaker sections, the outlay is being increased from Rs. 756 crore to Rs. 875 crore.
There was a mention of Ashraya. I am happy to announce that the unit cost of Ashraya is being increased from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000. For SC and ST, there will be a one hundred per cent subsidy, and for other people below the poverty line, there will be a subsidy of 50 per cent and a loan of 50 per cent. For Rural Electrification, we are providing Rs. 1,700 crore. For Home and Transport, the outlay is being increased from Rs. 1,945 crore to Rs. 2,442 crore. This includes Rs. 95 crore for Police Force modernisation. We are also providing Rs. 189 crore to the Road Transport Corporations as reimbursement.
Karnataka’s Budget includes a provision of Rs. 2,489 crore for a Special Development Plan to develop the backward areas in the State to redress regional balances. This represents a 58 per cent increase over Rs. 1,571 crore provided in 2007-08.
Madam, some specific questions were asked. I have already answered about Ashraya. A question was asked about Bangalore. I am afraid, Shri Ananth Kumar, though he is a Member of Parliament from Bangalore, is yet to understand the intricacies of Budget documents. He should perhaps take some lessons from Shri Yeddurappa how to read Budget documents. These provisions are made under different Heads in different places. We are providing Rs. 5 crore as seed money for starting a Special Purpose Vehicle for inviting bids for the high speed rail link. Even bids have not been invited. Therefore, there is no point in providing money. The money is being provided to set up the Special Purpose Vehicle and invite bids. Only when bids are invited, money has to be provided for the high speed rail link.
Funds for Bangalore have been provided under Urban Development, which has a total outlay of Rs. 4,923 crore. It is also provided under PWD. A sum of Rs.240 crore has been provided for roads in Bangalore. Besides, allocation under JNNURM for Bangalore is Rs. 700 crore; for Bangalore Metro Project it is Rs. 200 crore; for Bangalore traffic management, it is Rs. 38 crore; for Bangalore International Airport, it is Rs. 93 crore; for Karnataka Municipal Reform Project, which is in and around Bangalore, it is Rs. 150 crore; for Cauvery Water Supply Project, it is Rs. 375 crore; and assistance to Bangalore Municipal Corporation under the State Finance Commission devolution is Rs. 350 crore.[h37] In fact, it is the people who are outside Bangalore who may have to complain that Bangalore has been provided a lot of money.
Madam, the Centre’s contribution to the State of Karnataka under share of taxes, grants and loans, this year is expected to be Rs. 11,819 crore; next year, it will be Rs. 12,811 crore. But as a Union Finance Minister, let me assure you, I will collect more revenue and you will get your share.
Bhagya Lakshmi Scheme was asked by Mr. Prahalad Joshi. Rs. 10,000 is being deposited for every girl child born after 1st April, 2006; Rs. 166 crore has been allocated in 2006-07; and Rs. 147 crore is being released in 2007-08. Allocation is made in the previous year and the release is in the next year. The scheme is being continued. Whatever amount has to be released in 2008-09 will be released.
As regards the subsidy for farmers of Rs. 1 lakh to purchase a tractor, the request was to continue the scheme. I am happy to inform you that the scheme is continuing; and Rs. 1 lakh subsidy will be given.
On the sugarcane growers issue, we have exempted sugarcane from purchase tax. We are giving a subsidy of Rs. 100 per metric tonne of cane as compensation for low recovery for cane crushed after 16th April up to 31st July; and a transport subsidy for farmers at the rate of Rs. 2 per metric tonne for cane transported beyond 50 kilometres.
As far as the Swarna Vidhan Saudha is concerned, this will be built in Belgaum. An amount of Rs. 50 crore has been provided in the 2008-09 Budget. The provision in 2007-08 made by your Deputy Chief Minister of Rs. 70 crore could not be used because no plans were finalised… (Interruptions)
SHRI SURESH ANGADI : The land is there with the Government… (Interruptions)
SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: You may address it to the Minister concerned and he will answer it.
As regards Sandhya Suraksha, this scheme is now being implemented; and 1.64 lakh persons have been identified. Each one will receive Rs. 400 per month as old-age pension.
SHRI G. KARUNAKARA REDDY : But not a single pie is being given… (Interruptions) More people are agitating before the Raj Bhavan… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN : Hon. Member, this is a State matter now and the hon. Minister is replying. Please take your seat.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Nothing will go on record except the speech of the hon. Finance Minister.
(Interruptions)* … SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Madam, let him understand what I am saying. 1.64 lakh persons have been identified. They will receive Rs. 400 per month. This is separate from the regular old-age pension scheme, which covers over 12 lakh beneficiaries. It is because time has been taken to identify the beneficiaries, the money has not yet been disbursed. But I assure you that Rs. 400 per month will be disbursed to these 1.64 lakh beneficiaries.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: A good number of beneficiaries are there. How can you complain?
SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: It has only been identified now. The money will be given, I am saying.
Finally, as a matter of great interest to potential Members of the State Legislature, today, there are only Members of the Legislative Council. Therefore, they are being given Rs. 1 crore per head. As far as Members of the State Legislature are concerned, at the time of preparation of Budget, there is no Member of the State Legislature. Therefore, it is not proper to provide money for that. Let the new Government be elected. I hope, a handful of Members from the BJP will get the benefit… (Interruptions)
SHRI G. KARUNAKARA REDDY : Thank you, Sir.
SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Take it in good spirit.
* Not recorded Madam, I am very happy; I have done a lot of work for Karnataka; and I hope that they will make me an honorary citizen of the State of Karnataka… (Interruptions)
I am presenting a Vote on Account. I am confident that the regular Budget of Karnataka will also be presented by a Congress Finance Minister… (Interruptions)
MADAM CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much, hon. Minister.
I shall now put the Demands for Grant on Account (Karnataka) for 2008-2009 to the vote of the House.
“That the respective sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President, out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Karnataka, on account, for or towards defraying the charges during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 2009, in respect of the heads of Demands entered in the second column thereof against Demand Nos. 1 to 28.” The motion was adopted.[r38] MADAM CHAIRMAN : I shall now put the Supplementary Demands for Grants (Karnataka) for 2007-2008 to the vote of the House.
The question is:
“That the respective supplementary sums not exceeding the amounts on Revenue Account and Capital Account shown in the third column of the Order Paper be granted to the President of India, out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Karnataka to defray the charges that will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 2008, in respect of the heads of Demands entered in the second column thereof against Demand Nos. 1 to 5 and 7 to 28.” The motion was adopted.
MADAM CHAIRMAN: The Supplementary Demands for Grants (Karnataka) for 2007-2008 are passed.
SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM: Thank you.