Speech by Shri. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP during the discussion of

Karnataka Budget 2008

in Rajya Sabha on 17th March 2008

 Sir, I stand to speak on the budget for my state of Karnataka presented by the Honble Finance Minister.
Sir, you are aware that my state is under Presidents rule after the collapse of the coalition government last year and since there is no popular government in office presently the budget takes on an important responsibility of ensuring that the growth and development of the state doesn’t stall and at the same time address some of key emerging issues. This is important because after peaking of growth at 10.7 per cent of GDP in 2004-05, growth has tapered off in the State subsequently to 7.5 in subsequent years.  Sir, the increased Plan outlays, and the increased allocations in the Budget to the various sectors are welcome and on behalf of the people of Karnataka I thank the Government for the same.
Sir, my colleagues the MPs from Karnataka have already focussed on many of the issues of this budget in the other House and this House. So I will be brief and to the point today.
Sir, my state has reasonable socio-economic indicators coming into this year. In matters like Health, Education, Electricity and water it is in the top quartile amongst all states. There is obviously a need for significant more investment in both Health and Education and most importantly as I stressed during the reply to the Union budget- there is a need to ensure that the spending efficiency of the government of Karnataka is also significantly improved – if these outlays are to make any difference to the people who are to benefit from them. Unfortunately this budget has no mention on that issue at all. Given that the Honble Minister and many members of the government have referred repeatedly to the fact that it’s the states mal-governance that is affecting the delivery of government spending and programs, it is very disappointing that this budget and speech does nothing about that critical issue.
Sir, it’s a well known fact that my states development over the last 5 decades or so has not been even or uniform. Whilst parts of our state have progressed well, many pockets of our state like Hyderabad – Karnataka region today continue to be underdeveloped and with little by way of investments and job creation and hence hope of prosperity for the people of that region. The MPs of our state cutting across party line have urged the Union government to declare that a special region – much in the same way as Vidharba in Maharastra and Telengana in AP have been. Our state legislature have already passed a resolution to this effect and I would urge the Union government to move on this expeditiously so that my state and in particular this region can start seeing the fruits of economic progress that many parts of our state and our country are enjoying this year itself.
Sir, my state has a vast coastline and also many forest reserves on its borders of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and TamilNadu. Both the coastline and these forests now posse a clear and present danger Naxalism and terrorism. The budget doesn’t provide for any special outlays towards security and protection against terrorism and naxalism. I would urge the Union government to look into this issue and provide the conceptual and financial support for both for coastal security and for joint policing and task forces with the concerned states on the borders and modernization of our Police forces in terms of technology and other tools.
Sir, there is a long standing demand from the people of my state to make Kannada a classical language and for renaming its cities to be more reflective of their historical identities and culture. Both these are pending with the Union government and I would urge expeditious clearance for the same.
Sir, before ending – I would like to discuss infrastructure and Bengaluru.  Bengaluru is as much as city of India as it is a city of Karnataka. I am disappointed that the budget and the statement does and says very little about infrastructure development in Karnataka and  Bengaluru in particular.
Sir, The Union generates considerable direct and indirect taxes from our city. Bengaluru must be treated just as Mumbai is a financial center and I would urge a complete package for infrastructure and urban development to make it a modern metropolis.  The current and unnecessary controversy of closing down an existing Airport points to the lack of a coherent vision for infrastructure and capacity development. I would urge the Union government to use this opportunity of Presidents rule to draw out a comprehensive and practical plan for the citys development. This could be the blue print for future popular governments to follow however short-lived or long lived they may be. I look forward to the Finance Minister for taking some initiative on this critical issue.  This is holding back development as I said, sir, of Bengaluru and my State.

Thank you sir.