Budget 2014: Union budget sale of dreams, nothing for poor, says Siddaramaiah

BANGALORE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today termed the Union budget as "a sale of dreams" and said there was nothing to bring "good days" to the poor and farmers.

"Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has continued with the sale of dreams as done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the ( Lok Sabha) elections," Siddaramaiah said.

He said along with his efforts to sell dreams, the Finance Minister has made big announcements, but has disappointed the people by allocating very little to the announced programmes. There is nothing to bring "good days" to poor and farmers in this budget, he said.

Stating that the social sector has been completely neglected in the budget, Siddaramaih said it was really a "bitter pill" to country men.

An attempt has been made to satisfy middle class by giving some tax concessions, he added.

The Chief Minister also questioned the intention of the budget which has allocated Rs 200 crore towards installation of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue, while only Rs 100 crore has been allocated to schemes like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padao' and others.

He said on expected lines the union government is on its path to give an opportunity for foreign direct investment on a large scale. In line with this, it has given opportunity for 49 per cent foreign direct investment in sensitive sectors like defence and insurance.