Bhubaneswar: Odisha Budget, 2015-16 today evoked mixed reaction as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described it as "progressive and pro-people," while opposition Congress and BJP dubbed the budget as "anti-people and anti-farmer."
"The budget presented today is progressive, inclusive and pro-poor. Significant focus has been given for vulnerable sections, agriculture, irrigation and infrastructural development," Patnaik told reporters.
Stating that special attention is given to the education in the form of Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya and interest subvention on education loan, Patnaik said substantial funds are allocated for free distribution of medicines. Emphasis is also being made on the Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana.
The leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress, however, rejected Patnaik's claim and dubbed the 2015-6 budget as "anti-poor and anti-farmer." "There is no point in making a separate agriculture budget when the farmers are put in a situation to under take distress sale of paddy," he said.
Mishra also pointed out that there has been no provision of lowering the regional imbalance among the regions. He asked whether the budget has any provision to ensure agriculture loans to farmers at the rate of 2 per cent as promised by the ruling party in its manifesto.
BJP legislature party leader Basant Kumar Panda termed the budget as "anti-farmer" as it has no provision for uplift of the farmers and other working classes.