Union Budget: Naveen Patnaik welcomes income support initiatives for farmers
Sujit kumar bisoyi | TNN | Feb 1, 2019, 20:25 ISTBHUBANESWAR: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday welcomed the tax benefits for middle and lower income groups announced in the Union budget, but expressed disappointment over allocation in sectors like social security, SC/ST welfare and rural development.
Naveen gave 2.5 out of 10 to the Union Budget for 2019-20 financial year.
Though Naveen welcomed the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, a direct income support initiative for small farmers in line with the state government’s Kalia scheme, he said the assistance is not adequate.
“It would have benefitted the farmers more if the quantum of assistance is equal or more than our Kalia scheme i.e Rs 10,000 per year. Also, there is nothing for landless poor, share croppers and farmers in distress,” he added.
Under the income support scheme, the Centre promised Rs 6,000 for each farmer with less than two hectares land holding, in three installments, per year. The state government offers Rs 10,000 per year to small farmers, in two installments, under Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (Kalia) scheme.
Even as the Centre announced 2 per cent interest subvention for micro, small and medium enterprises sector for loan up to Rs 1 crore, Naveen said this does not suffice to meet the needs of employment generation in the country though the move is ‘encouraging’.
Naveen, who is also president of BJD, slammed the NDA government over non-revision of amount towards the National Social Security Scheme-- old age pension and other pensions. “The state is covering 48 lakh beneficiaries with Rs 500 per month while the Centre is giving Rs 200 per month for 20 lakh beneficiaries only,” Naveen said.
On budget provision for SC/ST welfare, Naveen said he was disappointed with the allocation both in infrastructure and education. “We have been requesting to restore the scholarship funds for scheduled caste students which has not been done,” he added.
Under the post-metric scholarship scheme, the state government has urged the Centre to restore 90:10 fund sharing pattern between the Centre and state government.
The chief minister also criticized allocation under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the Union budget saying it will adversely affect timely wage payments.
“The budget allocation on rural connectivity, rural housing and drinking water have been reduced or have remained at previous level. This is not encouraging,” he added.
With tenure of the 14th finance commission (2015-20) is nearly ending, the chief minister apprehended that Odisha will be hit with a short fall of Rs 26,342 crore.
The 14th FC had recommended total transfer of Rs 1.84 lakh crore during 2015-20 period. “Howver. Based on the actual receipts for 2015-18, revised estimates for 2018-19 and budget estimates for 2019-20, the state is going to receive only Rs 1.57 lakh crore,” he said.
Naveen gave 2.5 out of 10 to the Union Budget for 2019-20 financial year.
Though Naveen welcomed the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, a direct income support initiative for small farmers in line with the state government’s Kalia scheme, he said the assistance is not adequate.
“It would have benefitted the farmers more if the quantum of assistance is equal or more than our Kalia scheme i.e Rs 10,000 per year. Also, there is nothing for landless poor, share croppers and farmers in distress,” he added.
Under the income support scheme, the Centre promised Rs 6,000 for each farmer with less than two hectares land holding, in three installments, per year. The state government offers Rs 10,000 per year to small farmers, in two installments, under Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (Kalia) scheme.
Even as the Centre announced 2 per cent interest subvention for micro, small and medium enterprises sector for loan up to Rs 1 crore, Naveen said this does not suffice to meet the needs of employment generation in the country though the move is ‘encouraging’.
Naveen, who is also president of BJD, slammed the NDA government over non-revision of amount towards the National Social Security Scheme-- old age pension and other pensions. “The state is covering 48 lakh beneficiaries with Rs 500 per month while the Centre is giving Rs 200 per month for 20 lakh beneficiaries only,” Naveen said.
On budget provision for SC/ST welfare, Naveen said he was disappointed with the allocation both in infrastructure and education. “We have been requesting to restore the scholarship funds for scheduled caste students which has not been done,” he added.
Under the post-metric scholarship scheme, the state government has urged the Centre to restore 90:10 fund sharing pattern between the Centre and state government.
The chief minister also criticized allocation under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the Union budget saying it will adversely affect timely wage payments.
“The budget allocation on rural connectivity, rural housing and drinking water have been reduced or have remained at previous level. This is not encouraging,” he added.
With tenure of the 14th finance commission (2015-20) is nearly ending, the chief minister apprehended that Odisha will be hit with a short fall of Rs 26,342 crore.
The 14th FC had recommended total transfer of Rs 1.84 lakh crore during 2015-20 period. “Howver. Based on the actual receipts for 2015-18, revised estimates for 2018-19 and budget estimates for 2019-20, the state is going to receive only Rs 1.57 lakh crore,” he said.
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