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Kerala Budget disappointing: Opposition

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 9 (UNI) The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) today said the Kerala Budget for 2007-08 presented by Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac had ''disappointed'' the people, particularly the unemployed youth and farmers.

Talking to mediapersons here, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Oomen Chandy said though the people had expected much from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's Budget, it contained no constructive measures to check the spiralling prices and projects for unemployed youth in the state.

Mr Chandy alleged the Finance Minister did not mention anything about the ''Asraya scheme'', which was introduced by the previous Congress-led UDF government to eradicate poverty.

Though the UDF had intended to introduce the project in 250 Panchayats, the LDF government stipulated it to 25 panchayats, and also reduced the budget allocation, he pointed out.

On the proposal of imposing tax on life-saving drugs he said no government had taken such a decision in this regard.

Condemning the proposal, he asked the Finance Minister to withdraw the move, as it would badly affect the common man.

Mr Chandy said though the Centre had kept up its promise to provide agriculture packages to farmers, the state government had failed miserably in fulfiling its promise.

The Congress leader also charged that Mr Isaac did not mention anything about the projects in the Kerala Vision-2010, declared by President A P J Abdul Kalam, during his address in the Assembly.

He said though the last Budget had allocated Rs 3,000 crore for the projects in coastal areas, not a single Rupee was spent.

UNI

Austria keen to cooperate with Indian industry: Ambassador

Kochi, Mar 9 (UNI) Offering Austria's cooperation in partnering Indian industrial growth, the country's Ambassador Jutta Stefan-Bastl suggested tourism and renewable energy sources as areas of cooperation. Inaugurating the 26th annual convention of the Kerala Management Association here last evening, she said Austria was ready to share its technological 'know-how' with suitable partners in India. Stating that her country specialised in machinery making, Dr Stafan-Bastl said this could be explored as a possible area of cooperation. Austria, which received 24 million.....

Jaya to observe fast on Cauvery issue

Chennai, Mar 9 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today announced that she would observe one-day token fast on March 18 to condemn the Centre and the State Government for ''not initiating'' any step to implement the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. While she would lead the agitation in the city, AIADMK functionaries and cadres would observe token fast in all district headquarters, demanding the immediate gazette notification of the final award which was got after a 16-year-long.....

Kerala FM presents Rs 138.44 cr deficit Budget

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 9 (UNI) Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac today presented in the state Assembly a Rs 138.44 crore deficit Budget for the year 2007-08, targeting an additional resource mobilisation of Rs 248.69 crore by hiking the taxes for tobacco products, motor vehicles and several other sectors. In his two-and-a-half-hour Budget speech, Dr Issac also announced tax relief to the tune of Rs 71.56 crore, mainly to agriculture, tourism and traditional industry sectors. As per the Budget estimate for 2007-08, the.....
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