BHUBAESWAR: Terming the Union Budget as a “futile attempt” of the UPA Government at the Centre to moderate inflation and step up growth, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said there was no policy measure for containing price rise or extend the reach of public distribution system (PDS) and no new programme to accelerate infrastructure development.On the other hand, an additional tax burden of `45,000 cr has been imposed on the people, Naveen said. Increase in the rate of excise duty and service tax will fuel inflation thereby hurting the masses, he added. The announcement to tackle fuel supply constraints of thermal power plants will not solve the problem as Coal India Limited is not able to cater to the present needs, Naveen said, adding there is also no mention about development of the transmission sector and reforms in the distribution sector.The Chief Minister said while mega handloom clusters have been announced for the States, the interest of thousands of poor weavers of Odisha has once again been ignored. “In fact, there is nothing in the budget which stands out as a benefit for this State,” he said. Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei said the Budget does not inspire much confidence although it speaks of provision for food security, moderation of inflation, infrastructure development, fiscal consolidation and investment in agriculture. Stating that there is no policy statement for ushering in tax reforms, Ghadei said the Budget is high on rhetoric without any substantial benefit for the common man. The Budget has belied the hopes and aspirations of the people of Odisha, he added.
Comments
0 comment