'K'taka budget before March 16'

Karnataka deputy chief minister and finance minister BS Yediyurappa has hinted at proposals for stringent action in the forthcoming Budget against businessmen evading tax.

Speaking at the pre-budget consultation meeting at the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Hubli, he said despite simplifying the taxation system, tax evasion was rampant.

He asked the KCCI to advise the business community to remit the taxes properly or face the consequences. The FM promised that honest businessmen will be protected and given all facilities to carry out the business.

Yediyurappa said he would present the state Budget before March 16. He would accompany the chief minister to New Delhi to meet the Central Planning Commission and discuss the state plan size.

The FM sought the cooperation of the business community in augmenting additional resources for compensating the loss caused by farmers' loan waiver and banning of arrack. Thus, he hinted that there would be no concessions or tax reduction for trading community in the forthcoming budget.

He claimed that the revenue of the state government had increased by 26 per cent in 2006-2007 due to plugging of leakage.

He promised to provide funds in the budget for drinking water supply project in Hubli-Dharwad, KIMS' golden jubilee development schemes, revival of Karnataka Central Cooperative Bank, airport development and outer ring road in Hubli.

At a function organised at Keshwapur in Hubli where Yediyurappa was the chief guest, Dharwad North MP Prahlad Joshi, leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council H K Patil, primary and secondary education minister Basavaraj Horatti and MLC Basavaraj Bommai urged the finance minister to provide more funds for the development of North Karnataka in the forthcoming Budget.

They pointed out that the KUIDFC grant to some towns and cities in North Karnataka had been cut and urged the FM to set right the anomaly.