Mere chanting Basava's verses not sufficient; create jobs: HDK to FinMin

Bengaluru, Jul 6: Jobs don't get created just by references to Basaveshwara's "work is worship" verses, the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka said on Friday, as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman often mentioned the 12th-century social reformer in her budget speech.

While Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said he had great expectations from Sitharaman's maiden budget, but was left disappointed, state coalition coordination committee chief Siddaramaich took a dig at references to Basaveshwara, saying the FM should note jobs will not be created just by doing so.

He said that mere chanting the verses is not sufficient. Finance Minister should follow and implement them practically and create jobs.

"By tricks one may win elections, but jobs don't get created, Minister!" "Budget in a nutshell- Everything under the sun, but nothing to catch it," Siddaramaiah said. During her budget presentation in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, said the government recognizes and follows the teachings of Lord Basveshwara, in particular the principles of Kayaka and Dasoha (sacrament).

Kumaraswamy, now on a tour in the US, said in a series of tweets that "though creation of FPOs and strengthening e-NAM and promoting traditional industries are welcome moves, more morale boosting programmes were desirable for the farming sector.

He said the budget has given a big blow to the state's economy by reducing GST state share. "For Karnataka, it will be cut down by around Rs 1600 crore. The cess hike on fuel will also reduce scope for states to levy cess. Moreover, the fuel price hike will hit everyone directly and indirectly as well. "I expected more from Smt.@nsitharaman who represents Karnataka, for railways, especially suburban railways, but very disappointed as no projects/aid were announced.

In the Indian Context budget is not a mere statement of intent, he said in a tweet. Siddaramaiah said both issues of farmers of the country being in distress, without rains and fair price for produce and of unemployment among youth have been "completely neglected" in the budget.

Alleging that the Centre was deaf towards farmers' loan waiver demand, he said the previous Congress government led by him and the current dispensation supported by his party in the state has implemented such waiver and questioned the Modi governments 'silence' on doubling farmers income in 5 years.

He also hit out at the hike in tax on petrol and diesel, saying it would impact common man as prices of various commodities and freight charges would also increase. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the budget has no coherent plan to fix the "broken economy." "#Budget2019 has no significant initiatives on agriculture, farmers, tackling drought, infrastructure, water, railways, jobs, etc.

No respite for middle class taxpayers. There is no coherent plan to fix the broken economy, leave alone making it a 5 trillion dollar one," he tweeted. State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa termed the budget as development oriented and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman for it.

The most striking feature of the budget was the decision to take up various structural and financial changes in the economy to boost infrastructure, investment and other facilities without burdening the people, he said.

Yeddyurappa also expressed happiness about the budget being inspired by Basavanna, who in the 12th century itself had propagated the Kayaka and dashoa philosophy, "which is nothing but an equality based society or prime minister's slogan of Sabka Saath Sab Ka Vishwas." The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community that owes allegiance to Basavewshwara is a dominant community in Karnataka and is considered a strong vote bank of BJP.