Maiden Budget to be presented tomorrow by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in Karnataka Assembly

Bengaluru, July 4 :  Farmers in Karnataka are eagerly waiting for the maiden budget of Chief Minister H D KUmaraswamy in the Karnataka Assembly to be presented tomorrow with anxiety writ large on loan waiver scheme.
Mr Kumaraswamy, who also holds the Finance portfolio, is keen in presenting a full fledged budget for the current fiscal even though former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier indicated that there was no need for such an exercise as his government before bowing out ahead of the elections had already presented the budget. Mr Kumaraswamy however prevailed following intervention by Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
While farmers were looking at the Budget for welfare schemes, the main opposition BJP is keen to take to task the Coalition government if it failed to address the loan waiver issue. Opposition Leader in the Legislative Assembly B S Yeddyurappa, who is also BJP State President, has already warned that his party will launch a statewide agitation from July 12 against this government if it fails to address various issues promised in the JDS election manifesto.
Farmers eagerness is towards their main demand for waiver of crop loans taken from Nationalised Banks and Cooperatrive institutions in the State as promised by JDS in its election manifesto. This issue has been cleared by the Coordination Committee of the Coalition government headed by Mr Siddaramaiah which has recently come out with the Common Minimum Programme to be implemented by the coalition government.
More than announcement on loan waiver issue, people are early awaiting to know how the resources will be mobilised by the new government since about Rs 53,000 crore is needed.
According to sources, Mr Kumaraswamy may opt for loan waiver in phases due to paucity of funds and in the first instalment may be released directly to the Banks to enable farmers to get fresh loans immediately as sowing has already started following state receiving widespread monsoon rain in the State. Cut off date 2008 to May 2017 has been fixed to avail the benefit.
Mr Kumaraswamy had also announced certain conditions, including size of agriculture land holding, loan only meant for growing crops and vehicle purchase loans will not be eligible for waiving. However, a clear picture will emerge only tomorrow after the Budget is presented.
UNI.