BANGALORE: Although Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has welcomed the budget proposals, he has expressed disappointment over the inadequate allocation for infrastructure development in Bangalore.

Mr. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa expressed differing views on the proposals. The Chief Minister praised the budget, and said Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram aimed at bridging the urban-rural divide. He expressed happiness over the higher allocation for the accelerated irrigation development programme (AIDP). .

Mr. Yediyurappa said the lack of programmes for rural development, agriculture and employment generation is disappointing.

Asked about Mr. Yediyurappa's reaction, Mr. Kumaraswamy said: "I don't know in what context the Deputy Chief Minister gave such a reaction."

Mr. Kumaraswamy said the allocation for the Bangalore metro rail project is low and he will pursue the matter with the Centre during his next visit to New Delhi.

About Union Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran's assurance to allocate Rs. 500 crores for infrastructure development in Bangalore, the Chief Minister said the State had not sought the assistance. Mr. Maran announced it of his own accord, and it is up to him to keep his promise, he added.

Mr. Kumaraswamy welcomed the increase in the allocation for the Bharat Nirman programme by 54 per cent to Rs. 18,696 crores. He hoped that the State will be given more funds next year. He said the midday meal programme will cover 12 crore children with an allocation of Rs. 4,813 crores. Farmers are in distress, and the proposal to provide loans at seven per cent interest is welcome, he added.

He commended other features of the budget, such as opening of a separate window for self-help groups or joint liability groups of tenant farmers and one-time relief for farmers who have obtained crop loans for kharif and rabi 2005-06. The corpus of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund has been increased, and it will help the State get more funds for development programmes at lower interest, he said.

`Lack of focus'

However, Mr. Kumaraswamy expressed unhappiness over the "lack of focus" on health, infrastructure and social sectors. There is no long-term strategy to remove unemployment in rural areas, he said. There are no new programmes for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, he added.

Mr. Yediyurappa said his hopes of a pro-people, growth-oriented budget have been belied. However, he welcomed the decision not to impose new taxes.

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