‘KALIA sops bigger and better’

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Bhubaneswar: Calling the interim budget a mixed bag, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday said he would give only 2.5 in a scale of 10 to the budget.
‘‘I welcome the tax benefits planned for middle and lower income groups. I also welcome the direct benefit transfer proposed for small and marginal famers in line with our KALIA scheme,’’ Naveen said.
However, it would have benefitted the farmers more if the quantum of assistance is equal or more than KALIA scheme that is Rs 10,000 per year, he said, adding, there is nothing for landless poor, share croppers and farmers in distress.
Some initiatives taken towards MSME sector are also encouraging. However, this does not suffice to meet the needs of employment generation in the country, Naveen pointed out.
The Chief Minister expressed his disappointment as the money allocated under the National Social Security Scheme–old age pension and other pensions have not been revised at all. The state covers 48 lakh beneficiaries with Rs 500 per month while the Centre gives Rs 200 per month for 20 lakh beneficiaries only.
“I am also disappointed with the allocation for ST, SC welfare, both in infrastructure and education. We have been requesting for restoration of the scholarship funds for SC students which has not been done,” he said.
Similarly, the allocation for MGNREGS is lower than the allocation in the revised estimate. This will adversely affect timely wage payments. The budget allocations for rural connectivity, rural housing and drinking water have either been reduced or have remained at previous level.
The Fourteenth Finance Commission had recommended total transfer of Rs 1,84,070 crore to the state during 2015-20. However, 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 1,57,828 crore. With this cut of funds, the state will be hit with a shortfall of Rs 26,342 crore, he added.