Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah commenced his 15th budget speech by invoking local influences, quoting a song from Dr Rajkumar’s film “Bangarada Manushya” and a Vachana by Lingayat philosopher Aydakki Lakkamma. The budget outlay for the year stands at ₹3.71 lakh crore, with a major allocation expected for the agriculture sector, addressing the severe drought conditions prevalent in the state.
In his speech, CM Siddaramaiah criticized the Centre, alleging a loss of ₹59,274 crore to the state due to the unscientific implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) over the last seven years. The opposition BJP expressed disapproval, causing uproar in the house.
The budget announcement comes months ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections, and expectations include significant allocations for the Congress party’s five main guarantees, supporting backward communities, and funding for infrastructure projects like Namma Metro and Peripheral Ring Road in Bengaluru. CM Siddaramaiah is expected to surpass his own record as the finance minister presenting the highest number of budgets in the country.
The budget is also anticipated to address issues such as legalizing property papers, supporting the “Brand Bengaluru” initiative, and providing drought relief to farmers. CM Siddaramaiah, known for his focus on social welfare programs, emphasized the theme of “An Equal Life for All, An Equal Share for All” in this year’s budget.
