Only 13% funds given to agri and allied sectors that involve 63% population: KRRS

The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has expressed dissatisfaction over the State Budget by maintaining that it lacked vision to ensure the development of agriculture and farmers.

In a release, KRRS State president Badagalapura Nagendra expressed concern that only 13% of the budgetary size had been allocated to agriculture and allied sectors on which 63 per cent of State’s population was dependent for its livelihood.

“This is not possible to develop farm sector with such a mismatch in allocation of funds,” he said.

He also took exception to the Congress government not taking any measures to implement its pre-poll promise of withdrawing anti-cow slaughter legislation and land reforms legislation that had been brought in during the erstwhile BJP regime.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over the the State government not committing itself in the Budget about not enforcing the Electricity Act, Seed Act and Agricultural Policy brought about by the Centre, which he alleged were anti-farmer in nature.

At the same time, Mr. Nagendra welcomed a measures, including earmarking ₹491 crore to take up an irrigation project in Hanur as per the KRRS’ demand, declaration of Pandavapura as an organic farming taluk, measures to take up seed production and relaxation of age limit for candidates applying for government jobs.