K'taka Budget to be tabled on July 7, says CM Siddaramaiah
all eyes set to watch allocations for 'guarantees'
Davangere, June 5: The state's Budget will be tabled on July 7, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday, as all eyes watch how the government will make the necessary funds allocations, given that it has undertaken to start implementing all five of its poll guarantees within the financial year.
The chief minister said the Cabinet has not yet discussed about the Budget but the Assembly session will start from July 3, and after the discussion on the Governor's speech, the Budget will be tabled on July 7.
"We are convening the Budget Session where we will table the Budget on July 7. We will make provisions for the implementation of the promises made in our manifesto," Siddaramaiah said.
When asked about the size of the Budget, he said he would be able to speak on the matter only after the Budget preparatory meeting starts.
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The chief minister pointed out that the size of the budget tabled by the previous government ahead of the election was Rs 3.08 lakh crore.
Regarding revisiting the anti-cow-slaughter law as stated by Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh, the chief minister said he will discuss it in the Cabinet.
According to him, there already existed a Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964 but it lacked clarity due to which an amendment was brought. However, the Congress government again went back to the 1964 Act.
"They (BJP) had again brought an amendment. We will discuss in the Cabinet. We have not decided anything yet," the CM clarified.
On the issue of hike in electricity tariff by Rs 2.89 per unit, Siddaramaiah said the decision was not taken by the government but the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).
"We do not decide hike in electricity tariff. There is Karnataka electricity regulatory authority, which has decided. It had decided in the past. We have only implemented it," he explained.
Regarding Indira Canteens, Siddaramaiah said he has directed the officials to make all preparations to start them again.
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Siddaramaiah defends kin picks for bypolls; says ‘high command will decide’ on power-sharing
Davanagere (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday defended the Congress party’s decision to field family members of two deceased MLAs in Assembly by-elections, asserting that the move follows established political practice.
Addressing criticism from the BJP over alleged dynastic politics, he said the party had followed a "common practice" in selecting candidates for the upcoming bypolls in the state.
The bypolls were necessitated by the demise of sitting Congress MLAs Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H Y Meti, who represented the Davanagere South and Bagalkote constituencies, respectively.
The ruling Congress has fielded Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Shamanur, son of Karnataka Minister S S Mallikarjun, in Davanagere, and Umesh Meti in Bagalkote. They will face BJP’s T Dasakariyappa in Davanagere South and Veerabhadrayya Charantimath in Bagalkote.
"It is a common practice that when a leader passes away, a family member is allowed to represent that constituency. The Congress party has followed this practice here as well," Siddaramaiah told PTI Videos.
The CM expressed confidence in a clean sweep in the by-elections scheduled for April 9. "In both constituencies, we are confident of winning 100 per cent," he said.
On minority voters, amid reported displeasure over not fielding candidates from their community, Siddaramaiah asserted that the Congress continues to enjoy their support.
"Minorities have always supported the Congress party. They are unlikely to support independents or the BJP. Since independence, they have stood with Congress, and this election is no different," he said.
Commenting on elections in other states, he said opposition parties are likely to perform strongly in several regions.
"In Assam and other states, opposition parties are likely to perform well. The BJP will not win everywhere. In the South, the main contest is between Congress and the BJP," he said.
He added that in West Bengal, the ruling party will retain power; in Tamil Nadu, the DMK will win; and in Kerala, the UDF is likely to emerge victorious.
Defending the Congress government’s guarantee schemes (‘Shakti’, ‘Gruha Lakshmi’, ‘Gruha Jyoti’, ‘Yuva Nidhi’ and ‘Anna Bhagya’), Siddaramaiah described them as "social investments" rooted in an alternative economic philosophy.
"There are two economic approaches—the trickle-down theory and the universal basic income approach. The BJP follows the trickle-down theory, while Congress believes in strengthening the lower sections of society through direct support," he said.
Rejecting criticism over capital spending, he said allocations had increased steadily.
"Last year, it was around Rs 73,200 crore, and this year, it is about Rs 84,000 crore. Allegations that we are not spending on capital projects are false," he said.
On state finances, the CM said Karnataka is adhering to fiscal discipline norms despite revenue constraints.
"We are managing within the limits set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act—maintaining the deficit within 3 per cent of GDP and keeping total liabilities within prescribed limits. However, reduced tax shares from Finance Commissions and changes in GST have impacted revenues," he said.
Addressing concerns over a global oil crisis, Siddaramaiah placed responsibility on the union government.
"It is the duty of the Government of India to resolve the oil crisis," he said, adding that the Centre’s retention of cess and surcharge revenues constrains states.
Referring to fuel pricing, he drew a comparison with 2014, saying petrol and diesel were priced at around Rs 60-70 per litre when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister.
On the language policy row, he denied allegations that the government is anti-Hindi.
"We are not anti-Hindi. It should not be enforced on students. Whoever wants to learn Hindi can do so," he said, adding that the government had removed compulsory requirements in SSLC examinations without restricting learning.
Backing women’s reservation, Siddaramaiah credited the Congress with advancing the policy framework. "It was Rajiv Gandhi who brought an amendment to the Indian Constitution providing reservation for women," he said, adding that the party supports extending reservations to legislatures.
On concerns over delimitation and representation of southern states, he said fairness must be ensured. "There should be no injustice, whether in North India or South India," he added.
Dismissing speculation of a "leadership tussle" within the Congress, Siddaramaiah said the party’s position is clear. "Rahul Gandhi is the leader. Therefore, the question of a rift does not arise," he said.
On internal party meetings and leadership issues in Karnataka, he said there was "nothing unusual".
"There is nothing wrong if a dinner meeting takes place," he said.
Siddaramaiah added that disciplinary action would apply only if party directions were violated.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister’s post after the declaration of the Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress managed to persuade the latter to accept the position of deputy CM.
On the issue of "power-sharing", he said, "The high command will take a decision."
There were also reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula", under which Shivakumar would become CM after two-and-a-half years. However, this has not been officially confirmed by the party.
