My budget is well within fiscal discipline: CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday rejected the BJP's criticism that the state budget was debt-driven and favoured only one section, asserting that the government has maintained fiscal discipline within the limits prescribed by law.
Siddaramaiah, who also holds finance portfolio, on Friday presented his record 17th budget in the Karnataka Assembly with an outlay of Rs 4.48 lakh crore.
Speaking to reporters, the chief minister defended the state's borrowing and said development cannot take place without raising funds while adhering to fiscal norms.
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"Let them say how much debt Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Centre has taken. Development cannot be achieved without borrowing," Siddaramaiah said.
He said the state government had remained within the limits set by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003
"What does the Fiscal Responsibility Act say? It says the debt should be within 25 per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Our debt is 24.94 per cent. Is it within 25 per cent or more than that? Perhaps it would be good if they read the Fiscal Responsibility Act," he said.
Siddaramaiah also compared the state's fiscal indicators with those of the Union government and criticised the BJP leadership.
"Do you know how much debt the Centre has? Does Ashoka know? It is Rs 218 lakh crore. Do you know how much debt they have taken in 11 years after coming to power? Rs 165 lakh crore," he said, referring to Karnataka BJP leader R Ashoka.
He added that while the country's fiscal deficit stood at 4.4 per cent, Karnataka's fiscal deficit was within limits.
"Do you know what our fiscal deficit is? 2.95 per cent. That means it is within 3 per cent of GDP," the chief minister said, noting that Karnataka's gross domestic product was about Rs 33.5 lakh crore.
Rejecting allegations that the budget favoured only certain communities, Siddaramaiah said the government's focus was on inclusive development.
"We have worked to ensure social justice. We have worked to provide equal opportunities to everyone -- Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, backward classes, or minorities. A budget is meant for the development of the entire state," he said.
He also alleged that changes in the GST regime had affected the state's finances.
"Because the GST amendment was made and the system was nationalised, we lost about Rs 10,000 crore," he said, adding that scrapping the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has also made it difficult for the government.
Asked whether he would present two more budgets to reach a milestone of 19 budgets, Siddaramaiah said the decision rested with the party leadership.
"If the high command gives me the opportunity, I will present them," he said.
He added that he would abide by whatever decision the leadership of the Indian National Congress takes.
"Ultimately, the high command has to make a decision. If they ask me to step aside, I will step aside. If they ask me to continue, I will continue," the chief minister said.
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Mehbooba seeks release of people arrested for 'peaceful' protests against Khamenei's killing
Srinagar (PTI): Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday urged the Jammu and Kashmir Police to release those arrested for staging protests in the Valley against the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel strike on February 28.
“Scores of protesters, including women, have been arrested across Kashmir for peacefully participating in rallies in the wake of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's martyrdom.
“Authorities had assured their families that they would be released soon. But, unfortunately, this hasn't been the case. Urge Jammu and Kashmir Police to consider their release at the earliest,” Mufti said in a post on X.
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Kashmir, which is home to about 15 lakh Shias, saw major protests at the Lal Chowk and Saida Kadal in Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama after the news of Khamenei's killing spread, forcing the authorities to impose restrictions, which were lifted on Saturday morning.
While the protests were largely peaceful, minor clashes broke out at a few places between the security forces and the protesters, prompting the former to use force to maintain law and order.
The US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.
Following the military offensive, Iran has carried out a wave of attacks mainly targeting Israeli and American military bases in several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
In the last few days, the conflict has widened significantly with attacks and counter-attacks by both sides.
