———S. A. Hemanth——–
Bengaluru, February 17: Going by the popular but not populist ‘please-all’ budget that tries to blend the urban compulsion and rural needs, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has done exactly what his party’s central leadership wanted him to do – create a feel good factor just before the elections.
The budget is ‘sarva sparshi – sarva vyaapi’ as it gives something to all. That the chief minister has presented a surplus budget of Rs 402 crores goes on to prove the deftness with which he has managed this extremely intricate and delicate exercise.
Allocating Rs 39,031 crores to Agriculture and allied activities along with increasing the cap on short term crop loan at zero percent from Rs 3 lakh to Ra 5 lakh that is estimated to benefit 30 lakh farmers is an attempt to endear himself to the farmers.
At the same time, providing Rs 10,000 crores for infrastructural development in Bangalore is expected to get the support of the urbanites.
Providing Rs 1000 crores to Kalasa – Banduri project and Rs 5000 crore is a clever exercise to garner the support of both Mumbai – Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka regions. Bommai claimed that he has earmarked Rs 25,000 crores to irrigation which is highest ever.
But what has potential to become a ‘master stroke’ and music to Sangh Pariwar – read core ideological constituency – is allocation of Rs 1000 crores to Muzrai Department.
“This highest ever allocation of Rs 1000 crores can trigger cultural and spiritual revolution as we will develop thousands of temples and mutts,” jubiliant-looking Shashikala Jolle remarked.
EOM
