The Hindu : Karnataka News : Non-tax revenue target unrealistic: BJP leader

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 30, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Non-tax revenue target unrealistic: BJP leader

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JULY 29. The State Government should explain how it expected to raise Rs. 4,446 crores in non-tax revenues, when, during 2003-04, the estimate was Rs. 1,773 crores and the actual mobilisation Rs. 1,693 crores, V.S. Acharya (Bharatiya Janata Party) said in the Legislative Council today.

Participating in the discussion on the Budget, he said that in February, the Government had said it would raise Rs. 3,246 crores, but in the Budget the figure had been increased to Rs. 4,446 crores.

Dr. Acharya said that the revenue target was unrealistic, and the Government should explain how it planned to achieve it.

Funds inadequate

He said the allocation for health, sanitation and primary education was inadequate, and the Government appeared to have no blueprint or comprehensive policy to utilise Central allocations for various programmes.

He said the Yeshaswini health insurance scheme was not being used effectively in the rural areas.

The problem was that the claims could not be processed at the district level, and there was a long wait for the people for reimbursement as it took time to get papers cleared from Bangalore.

M.P. Nadagouda (Janata Dal-U) intervened to suggest that the Government should immediately facilitate the processing of Yeshaswini scheme for rural people at the district hospitals or centres.

Dr. Acharya said the substantial allocation for backward regions was welcome, but it was only the entitlement of the regions, and the Government could not claim credit.

Facilities in schools

Describing the Budget as "inadequate," Dr. Acharya said the Government had not made any commitment to improve infrastructure in primary schools, especially in girls' schools.

Taxes imposed on the hotel industry indicated that the Government was not keen on promoting tourism, he added.

Basavaraj Bommai (Janata Dal-U) called for a comprehensive policy on integrated restoration of tanks and a conservation project with a time-bound programme of implementation.

He said the Government should consider waiving the interest on farm loans, as over 10 lakh farmers could not even repay the principal.

Promise broken

Arun Machaiah (independent) said the Budget appeared to reflect only the election manifestoes of the Congress and Janata Dal (S), and it did not articulate the Government's thinking on improving the economy.

The Congress's promise to provide a monthly dole of Rs. 500 to unemployed youth had not materialised, and the Budget was silent on the implementation of the tourism policy.

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