Chandigarh, Mar 1 (UNI) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has described the Union Budget 2007-08 as lackluster saying it has failed to address the problem of rising inflation and the agricultural crisis crippling the country's farmers.

Reacting to the Budget proposals, SAD general secretary Capt Kanwaljit Singh said Finance minister P Chidambaram failed to address the concerns of 'Aam Admi' (common man) who has been most hit by the inflation. The prices of essential commodities sky-rocketed primarily because of the total mismanagement by the government and the collapse of Public Distribution System, he added.

Referring to the agri-sector, he said improving the agricultural loan facility was not the answer to real issues, like rising cost of production and lower market price of the agri produce.

Expressing displeasure at the 'attitude' of the Finance Minister towards Punjab, the SAD general secretary said that it was expected a package for the agriculture sector would be announced to bail out the economically distressed farmers of the state. However, no relief has been given to the debt ridden farmers, Capt Singh who is expected to be sworn-in the new Finance Minister of Punjab said.

UNI