Bangalore: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday commended the Railway Budget (Vote on Account) 2014-15 and said that Railways Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge has given a balanced budget, while protecting the interests of the State as well as the Ministry.

A press release here quoted Mr. Siddaramaiah as saying that the budget was complementary to the overall development of the economy as well as protecting the interests of passengers. He welcomed Mr. Kharge’s announcements on new trains connecting different parts of the State with the rest of the country. Minister for Tourism and Higher Education R.V. Deshpande, in his reaction, said that Mr. Kharge had not disappointed the people of the State with his budget.

The Minister not only has increased the frequency of many trains but also introduced several new trains thereby contributing considerably to the State, Mr. Deshpande said. Thus, the budget gives an impetus to the tourism sector in the State, he added.

Meanwhile, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry said that nothing much could be expected from this budget as this is an election year.