Small-scale industries welcome Karnataka Budget, hoteliers feel neglected

The state budget, presented by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday, evoked mixed response in Mysuru. While Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Council (MSMEC) of Mysuru welcomed the budget, members of the Mysuru Hotel Owners' Association (MHOA) expressed displeasure.

The Congress leaders claim that the budget is useless, even as BJP leaders appreciate it. However, farmer leaders expressed unhappiness.

MHOA president C Narayan Gowda said that the government has totally neglected the hospitality sector. "The CM has not considered hotels and other business related to travel and hospitality. We did not expect this. Not even a single demand of ours' is considered," he said.

MSMEC general secretary Suresh Kumar Jain said that despite the Covid-19 crisis, the CM has presented a good budget, which will give a boost to MSMEs. "Loan, up to Rs 2 crore for women entrepreneurs at 4% rate of interest, week-long annual exhibition to market products of women entrepreneur and self-help groups, are welcome," he said.

"In addition, Elevate Women Entrepreneurship, meant to provide hand holding facilities, consultancy, global connect and funding assistance with an initial fund of Rs 5 crore, will help women entrepreneurs. Additional 15% subsidy for micro food processing industries and cold storage units is commendable," he said.

BJP leader, also Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Chairman H V Rajeev appreciated the budget and said, "The move to bring peri-urban areas under Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board from MUDA will definitely improve water management and helps sewerage network systematically."

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BJP city president T S Srivatsa said that the CM has presented a historical budget amidst the Covid crisis. "The budget aims to improve the revenue of the state. Increase in reservation for children of farmers in education, hi-tech cocoon market, and several programmes for the welfare of farmers and funds for the agriculture sector is appreciated," he said.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson H A Venkatesh said that there is no clear objective and pro-development programmes in the budget. "Inflation is on the rise, due to state and Center’s mismanagement. The state needed an effective budget post-Covid. But, the CM has failed. Due to the lack of vision and ability of the CM, the state is deprived of a pro-development budget," he said.

Govindaraju, as assistant professor of English, said, “The state budget, presented on the occasion of International Women's Day, is commendable as it has many schemes and projects for the upliftment of women. Ten per cent reservation for women in APMCs is a good move, which will help rural women. Financial support to women to start small-scale industries and business also is a boon for women entrepreneurs. Chamarajanagar, a border district, getting allocation for the development of a turmeric market, is significant.”