NAVEEN IS CRITICAL ABOUT THE UNION BUDGET

NAVEEN IS CRITICAL ABOUT THE UNION BUDGET 17/03/2012

ODISHA NEWS:


The budget for 2012-13 presented Friday by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will fuel inflation and hurt the masses, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.

Describing the budget as a futile attempt of the UPA (United progressive Alliance) government to moderate inflation and step up growth, Patnaik said an additional tax burden of Rs.45, 000 crore had been imposed on the citizens of India.

“There is no policy measure for containing inflation or to extend the reach of the public distribution system and no new programme to accelerate infrastructure development to revive growth momentum,” the chief minister said.

“Increase in the rate of excise duty and service tax will fuel inflation thereby hurting the masses,” Patnaik told reporters.

He also accused the central government of ignoring the interest of thousands of poor weavers of the state although announcement was made for setting up mega handloom clusters in other states.

“In fact. There is nothing in the budget for the state of Odisha,” Patnaik said.


SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,
ODISHA