Mangaluru: Deputy Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader on Saturday termed the CM Bommai’s annual budget as “Reverse gear budget” adding that it will take the economy of the state backward.

Speaking at the press meet today, U T Khader slammed Bommai for his "hit and run" budget and said that the government's sole revenue comes from its debts and liquor industry.

"With the enormous debt of Rs. 72 thousand crores, an approximation of Rs 29 thousand crores of revenue is collected from excise duty. As much as 1.01 lakh crore of revenue is generated from debt and liquor", he pointed out.

"No investor is likely to come up when the government itself functions on revenue deficits", he added. 

Acknowledging CM's expertise in the field of irrigation, he highlighted the Karnataka Irrigation Department's debt of Rs17 thousand crore, wherein an amount of Rs 26 thousand crores is issued in the budget and argued whether a mere sum of Rs 9 lakh crore is enough to actualize the department's initiatives.  

He appreciated the government's move in allocating Rs 5lakh crore for the Krishna Meldande Project and said that the amount of Rs 1 thousand crore, set aside for Mekedaatu and Mahadayi projects are the fruits of the labors of several activists and protestors. 

Pointing out the government's indifference with regard to uplifting those who are severely affected by Covid-19, he said "the current budget has disregarded the needs of the working class and the destitute", and added that "the government has failed to keep up its promise regarding the construction of 5 lakh homes for the labor class. Until now, not a single house has been built. When the Congress government was in power, as much as 1 lakh houses were built in the course of 1 year". 

He criticized the government's decision to build Narayana Guru Residential Schools while noting its recent rejection of Narayana Guru Tableau. 

He underscored CM's negligence regarding the needs of the people of Coastal Karnataka and said that no focus has been given to the fishermen, areca nut growers, and others. 

"What is the use of allotting money for 100 container ships, while the government has failed to give money to build homes for our fishermen?" he questioned. 

"The government is politically, economically disabled", he said. 

Further, he advised the government to first work on social and communal harmony, before venturing into economic reforms.  

Congress leaders Ibrahim Kodijal, Mamata Gatty, Shahul Hameed, J A Bava, Sadashiva Ullal, Yusuf Sharif, Ishwara Ullal, Alwyn, Mustafa, and others were present during the press meet. 

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New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday expressed surprise that the Jharkhand High Court has not pronounced verdicts in 67 criminal appeals after reserving judgement and asked all high courts to submit report in a month on cases where judgements are pending.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh termed the development as "disturbing", and said it will law down some mandatory guidelines on the issue.

"This cannot be allowed to happen," the bench said, as it sought reports from all the high courts in four weeks on cases where judgement has been reserved on or before January 31, 2025 but verdict has not been pronounced till date.

The top court passed the directions after perusing the report filed by registrar general of the Jharkhand High Court in which it said in 56 criminal appeals heard by division bench from January, 2022 till December, 2024, the verdict has not been pronounced despite order being reserved.

It also noted that before the single bench judge, judgement has not been pronounced in 11 criminal appeals despite order being reserved.

The top court was hearing a plea of four life convicts, who have approached through advocate Fauzia Shakil, claiming that the Jharkhand high court had reserved orders on their appeals against conviction in 2022 but did not pronounce verdicts due to which they were not able to claim the benefit of remission.