KCCI calls it an eco-agri budget

[email protected] (The Hindu)
March 1, 2011

budget

Mangalore, March 1: The Union Budget has evoked mixed reaction from industry representatives here.

G.G. Mohandas Prabhu, president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said that the Union Budget was an “eco-agri” budget. Its emphasis on agriculture and focus on cold chains was a far-sighted thought made by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The concessions to electric vehicles (EVs) would limit country's dependence on fossil fuels.

The Central Excise rates had been maintained, which was welcome. Industry circles expected an increase. However, nothing had been mentioned about tax, he said. About 130 items had been brought under the Central Excise (of a nominal 1 per cent). Implementation of direct taxes from April 2012 and the tabling in Parliament of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill was welcome. The budget could have been more liberal on Income Tax, he said. The fiscal deficit of 4.6 per cent of the GDP indicated a robust economy.

B. Madhava, secretary, Dakshina Kannada district unit of the CPI(M), welcomed the doubling of the “miserably-low” salary of “anganwadi” workers. Connecting the wages of those working within the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) to the consumer price index was welcome, he said.

The Income Tax exemption for the middle classes and the proposal to reduce eligibility age for pension from 65 to 60 were good initiatives, he said.

But the budget was insensitive to the problems of the common man, according to him.

The Finance Minister's speech expressed concern over price rise but said nothing about controlling it. Strengthening of PDS was assured by political parties (that 35 kg of rice at the rate of Rs. 2 per kg would be given to each nuclear family) but never implemented, he said.

B.A. Nazeer, president, Kanara Small Industries' Association (KSIA), Baikampady, welcomed the implementation of Direct Tax Code (DTC) from April 1, 2012, and the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitution Amendment Bill in the present session of Parliament.

The proposal to enhance IT exemption limit by Rs. 20,000 was marginal compared to the high inflation rate. Excise duty could have been reduced to 8 per cent to stimulate the manufacturing sector particularly SSIs.

The SSIs' demand of increasing Central Excise limit to Rs. 3 crore had been ignored. No encouragement to SSI sector had been proposed, he said.


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News Network
April 7,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 7: Former Minister and Leader of the Opposition Siddaramiah on Tuesday termed the shutting by private clinics in the state by doctors as an 'inhuman act'.

Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter, the Congress leader said due to the fear of Novel Coronavirus, the doctors have closed their private clinics, which was against their profession.

This has affected the people, especially those, who are suffering from other deceases. He urged Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to intervene and resolve the issue immediately.

Despite the government instructions not to close down their clinics, the doctors have not been responding positively, Mr Siddaramaiah noted.

In this connection, the government should act seriously and give necessary warning to the doctors, to either open their clinics to serve the people, or face action, he added.

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News Network
July 24,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 24: To condemn violence on healthcare workers and to voice issues concerning medical fraternity, Karnataka Association Of Resident Doctors (KARD) has called for a nationwide symbolic protest from July 24.

"In order to condemn violence on healthcare workers and to voice all our issues, we have called nationwide symbolic protest from July 24. We will protest symbolically by wearing black bands, across the state and have sought support from residents pan-India," KARD said in a statement.

"We, the resident doctors of Karnataka have been undergoing various difficulties while executing our duties during the COVID-19 pandemic," it added.

"Arrest and legal action against culprits involved in K.C General hospital incident. Arrest and legal action against culprits involved in Belgaum incident. Condemnation of atrocities on doctors in Bidar and action against the official. Ensuring safety protocols at all hospitals and COVID care centres with adequate security and police personnel," KARD demanded.

"No hierarchy in a pandemic"- common work pattern for all doctors irrespective of hierarchy/cadre. Immediate release of funds for a stipend for an already sanctioned hike. COVID duty and night duty allowances. Ensuring an adequate supply of N-95 masks, face shields, surgical gowns in all non-COVID working areas. An adequate supply of good quality PPEs for all COVID working areas," KARD demanded.

Earlier, the nurses of Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubli called off the protest after receiving assurance from Nitish Patil, the Dharwad district Deputy Commissioner (DC).

The protest was staged on Wednesday afternoon in front of KIMS by nurses who alleged that the administration had not provided adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, masks and sanitary facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation. 

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News Network
June 24,2020

Mangaluru, June 24: Congress leader Ivan D’Souza has vowed to serve the poor and practice as a lawyer in the city, as he completed six years of tenure as a member of Karnataka legislative council on June 23. 

Expressing satisfaction about his work as an MLC, he said: “I’m one among the three MLCs who have 100% attendance in the council. Meanwhile, I’m the only council member to utilise the privilege of raising five questions in each session. I brought several major issues to the government through the questions and succeeded in finding solutions to the problems of people.”

“During my six years of tenure as a council member, I could bring sanctions to the tune of Rs 46 crore through various departments. Meanwhile, financial aid to the tune of Rs 13.24 crore has been distributed through Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to nearly 1,600 beneficiaries. I will continue to serve the poor on my own as an individual. For this, I have set up an office in the premises of my house,” Ivan said, adding that he has distributed grocery kits and other essential items to over 18,000 families during the lockdown period.

“I have successfully fulfilled my duties as the chief whip of the government in the council and also as the parliamentary secretary to revenue department in Siddaramaiah and H D Kumaraswamy governments, respectively,” he said. 

Ivan said his office in the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) building will be handed over to JD(S) MLC S L Boje Gowda. “My doors are always open for the people. I will strive to build the party in the state,” he added. 

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