Other States - Rajasthan   

Unfair, says Raje; pro-poor: Gehlot

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The Union Budget presented on Tuesday evoked mixed reaction in the political circles in Rajasthan with the Congress leaders welcoming it and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje terming its provisions an "encroachment" on the finances of the States. The Communist Party of India's state unit found the Budget "disappointing" as it did not offer any solutions to the problems of the farmers and the unemployed.

In a strong reaction to certain provisions in the Budget, Ms Raje said here that the Centre was making its plans on the basis of the finances of the States. In the case of the increased cess on petroleum the States should have been given a share, she said. "The Centre is taking credit after putting extra burden on the States. This is grossly unfair," Ms.Raje said.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot welcomed the Union Budget calling it growth-oriented and pro-poor and pro-farmer. The 31.5 per cent increase in the allocation for education and 22 per cent increase in health would benefit the poor, he said. The provision for building 9 lakh houses for the weaker sections also was laudable, he noted. Mr.Gehlot termed the decision on simplification of the fringe benefit tax a welcome step.

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president B.D.Kalla hailed the budget for its 9-10 per cent projection of growth. The Budget was dedicated to building up of infrastructure to benefit the rural areas of the country, he said. The decision to electrify 40,000 villages in the year 2006-7 and provision for providing drinking water to 56,270 villages and 1.40 lakh schools were appreciable, he noted.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

`Rajasthan rapidly progressing'
Unfair, says Raje; pro-poor: Gehlot
NIAM posts record placement of students

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu