Kota (Karnataka): Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on February 21 asserted that the coming Budget of the state would be "pro-development Budget" keeping in view the interests of the common man.

Krishna, who was in Kota on a two-day private visit to Udupi district, after offering "sankalp and prarthana" of "mruthyanjaya homa and shukraditya homa" for the welfare of the state and its people at oldest Sri Hare Mahalingeshwar temple in a informal talk with reporters said that not only Karnataka but entire nation was undergoing financial constraints.

He said the Budget preparation is an annual exercise. His ministry is going into all details considering the vast resources needed for the developmental effort before preparing the Budget.

There is a big gap between the people's expectation and what we can do. This has to be bridged properly, he said.

Replying to the query on Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s demand for publication of White Paper on the financial situation of the state before the presentation of the Budget, the Chief Minister said, "The Budget will be presented in white paper. The Budget itself is the reflection of financial position of the state. There is no need for any White Paper on that. Let them wait till March when the state Budget will be presented to know about the financial situation. He said however, I shall not go for seeking overdraft from Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

PTI