BJP stages ‘Khaali Chambu’ protest against CM Siddaramaiah’s 17th budget
Bengaluru (PTI): The opposition BJP in Karnataka on Friday staged ‘Khaali Chambu’ protest saying that the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is an empty vessel, which has nothing to offer to people.
Holding ‘Khaali Chambu’ (empty vessel), the party legislators, including the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, MLC N Ravikumar, MLAs Arvind Bellad and V Sunil Kumar, took out a march on the Vidhana Soudha premises.
Condemning the budget, the protesters raised slogans like "Siddaramaiah’s budget is Khaali Chambu" and "Reproof to the Khaali Chambu government".
Addressing reporters here, Ashoka said the Congress government in the state believes in the philosophy of leading a lavish life on borrowed money.
"This budget is bland. It has no new projects. The only new project is more and more borrowing," he said.
In the last three years, the state added a loan of Rs 4.39 lakh crore on the people of the state, Ashoka claimed. The next governments will not be in a position to pay the interest, let alone the principal amount and the fiscal deficit has reached Rs 97,000 crore, the BJP leader said.
"If Siddaramaiah continues as chief minister for the next two years, our borrowings will reach Rs 10 lakh crore. His government’s borrowing is 10 times more compared to all the chief ministers in the past," Ashoka charged.
He added that there is no reference to new irrigation projects, potholes and garbage crisis in Bengaluru.
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Caste census will form basis for future policy decision, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that the ongoing caste census would form the basis for future policy decisions, asserting that the exercise was crucial to advancing social justice in the state.
Addressing a gathering at the Siddarameshwara Jayanti celebrations here, he said caste enumeration was being carried out for the first time since 1931 and would be followed by deliberations once the report is submitted.
"At present, a caste census (Jaati Sameekshe) is underway. After the report comes, we will discuss it and take necessary decisions," Siddaramaiah said.
He underlined the government’s commitment to equality, stating, "We are committed to social justice. No one should face injustice. Even if not 100 per cent, we will strive to ensure 99 per cent justice."
Referring to measures aimed at addressing intra-caste disparities, the chief minister said the government had already implemented internal reservation based on revised classifications.
"We have gone beyond the Nagamohan Das report and implemented internal reservation… now it has been revised to 5.25 per cent, 5.25 per cent, and 4.5 per cent. This has been approved by the Cabinet," he said.
Siddaramaiah said the broader objective was to ensure equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, while reiterating that policy interventions would be guided by constitutional principles.
"Our objective is equal share and equal life for all," he said.
He also emphasised the role of education in eliminating inequalities, particularly among marginalised communities, and said empowerment was essential to dismantle entrenched caste hierarchies.
"Only when people gain such empowerment can caste divisions be eradicated. Education is essential for this," he added.
The CM said the government would examine demands raised by various communities and take decisions based on feasibility, while ensuring that benefits reached all sections without discrimination.
