HDKs aspersions on agriculture budget

MADIKERI: JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy has come down heavily on the state government’s “so-called” first-ever attempt to bring out a separate  Agriculture Budget. He said the budget claimed Rs 17,800 crore would be set part for agriculture sector.However, only Rs 150 crore had been released till January 15, 2012, and it showed the commitment of the BJP government and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.“It’s nothing but a publicity gimmick,” the former chief minister  said, and added that the state  government had diverted the funds reserved for organic fertilisers and other products to various other schemes.‘DVS Must Stay as CM’Later speaking at Kushalnagar, Kumaraswamy said D V Sadananda Gowda should continue as chief minister for another six months. He said that the CM had been showing interest in developing Kodagu and other coastal districts. During the JD(S) tenure, thousands of farmers benefited in the district, he added.