Kerala - Kochi   

Sarma: State budget welfare-oriented

KOCHI: The benefits in the Union Budget were an eyewash aimed at diverting the public opinion against the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, Minister for Fisheries S. Sarma said on Saturday.

After inaugurating the 26th district meeting of the Kerala Gazetted Officers’ Association at the Town Hall, Mr. Sarma said that it was an attempt to trade the freedom of the country for benefits.

He said that the Union government should consider whether its commitment was towards the public, which voted it to power, or to foreign capitalists.

He said that by going ahead with the nuclear deal, the Union government was rooting for costlier energy at the expense of cheaper energy from Iran.

Mr. Sarma said that the State Budget in comparison was a welfare budget aimed at improving the lot of the common man. He said the budget was one with foresight and provided for balanced and equitable utilisation of available resources.

He said that the budget ensured financial discipline and did not impose extra burden.

The budget envisaged productivity-based development for the State. Mr. Sarma said that the budget made handsome allocations to the traditional sectors, industries, agricultural production and rejuvenation of public sector units. He said that the budget made unprecedented allocations to the information technology sector.

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

Stories in this Section

Evolution of communication in navy on show in Kochi
Kannur: BJP for Centre’s intervention
Policy changes hit chemical units: Karim
Logo of alumni meet released
Sarma: State budget welfare-oriented
Kudumbasree has lost sheen: Mayor
Medical camps held
Kochi today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu