The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka Govt rules out free power to farmers

RULING out supply of free power to farmers, which was the main plank on which the Congress (I) won the Assembly election in Andhra Pradesh, the Karnataka coalition Government today announced its Common Minimum Programme (CMP) that gives primacy to cheaper farm lending and subsidies to rural and urban poor.

The CMP to be implemented over the next five years was announced to the media persons by the Chief Minister, Mr N. Dharam Singh, his deputy, Mr Siddaramaiah, who was also state JD (S) President, and the State Congress President, Mr B. Janardhan Poojary.

The CMP gave importance to private sector power investment, reduction in transmission and distribution losses and banning of Online lotteries and Single Digit Lottery, which together would result in a revenue loss of about Rs 250 crore to 300 crore.

A farm credit facility at 6 per cent to be extended through the cooperative institutions, increase in subsidy for supply of food grains through the public distribution system (PDS), extending mid-day meals scheme, Akshara Dasoha up to standard seven form the current standard five and brining aided educational institutions were the other features of the populist CMP.

The new PDS subsidy programme would cover 71 lakh families below poverty line, while seven lakh families would be covered under the Central Government-sponsored `Antyodya' programme. Mr Singh and Mr Siddaramaiah declined to give the details of the additional subsidy burden or means to finance the welfare programmes.

They said " the details and exact figures will be reflected in the Budget to be presented by the Finance Minister on Monday".

Reiterating the Government's commitment to improving the living condition of the rural poor, Mr Singh and Mr Siddaramaiah said the Government would try to cut wasteful expenditures and reduce non-plan expenditure to mobilise funds for poverty alleviation.

Mr Singh said the CMP was prepared keeping in view the election manifesto of both the parties.

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Karnataka Govt rules out free power to farmers