Budget lacks focus in crucial areas: Naveen Patnaik

Dated 11th July, 2014

"Under the prevailing circumstances with high inflation coupled with drought-like scenario greater focus should have been given on agriculture, irrigation and social sector. However, the Union Budget lacks focus in all these crucial areas," said Patnaik.

Stating that fiscal consolidation without revenue gain through introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) was a 'misnomer', Patnaik said the concerns of states for adequate compensation for loss in central sales tax was not tackled.

"Nominal increase in allocation for flagship schemes will hurt the development process of the states," he said.

On issues relating to the state, Patnaik said, "Except for the promise of an IIM, there is nothing for Odisha in this budget. As usual, the Textile Mega Cluster has by-passed the state in this budget.”

"Meagre allocation on ambitious programmes like rural electrification speaks of tokenism," the Chief Minister added.