Bengaluru, March 7 (IANS) Responding strongly to the criticism by the BJP which dubbed his budget as a ‘Halal budget’, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the criticism is coming out of the BJP’s malicious mindset.
Addressing the media in Bengaluru on Friday, CM Siddaramaiah, responding to BJP’s criticism of the budget as a ‘Halal Budget’, further condemned the remark as reflective of a malicious and divisive mindset.
He noted that financial assistance to minorities, including Buddhists, Jains, and Christians, has been Rs 4,000 crore. Guarantee schemes provide approximately Rs 232 crore per constituency, boosting purchasing power and economic growth.
Regarding reservations in government contracts, Siddaramaiah clarified that minority reservations are not based on religion but on literacy levels.
He questioned why the BJP highlights Muslim reservations while ignoring reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs. On irrigation projects, he accused the central government of delaying approvals and funds, particularly for projects like Krishna and Bhadra Upper Bank schemes. He criticised BJP MPs for failing to advocate for the state’s interests in Delhi.
The budget also includes Rs 42,000 crore for SCSP-TSP schemes, Rs 4,500 crore for minorities, and Rs 4,300 crore for OBCs. Siddaramaiah questioned whether the BJP-led central and state governments have ever implemented the SCP-TSP Act.
He further accused the BJP of lacking the courage to implement Karnataka’s model at the national level.
He asserted that India is a pluralistic country where equal opportunities must be ensured for all, criticising the BJP for opposing constitutional values.
Karnataka’s budget, he stated, embodies foresight, equality, social development, and financial responsibility. The state’s budget has grown from Rs 13,000 crore in 1994-95 to over Rs 4 lakh crore, demonstrating its commitment to inclusive growth.
The Karnataka budget for 2025-26 adheres to principles of foresight, equality, social development, and financial responsibility. Siddaramaiah described the budget, which surpasses Rs 4 lakh crore for the first time, as a milestone.
The budget size has increased from Rs 3,71,121 crore in the previous year to Rs 4,09,549 crore this year, marking a Rs 38,166 crore rise with a growth rate of 10.3 per cent, he said.
Revenue receipts have grown from Rs 2,63,178 crore last year to Rs 2,92,477 crore this year, reflecting an increase of Rs 29,299 crore and a growth rate of 11.1 per cent. Revenue expenditure has risen from Rs 2,90,531 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 3,11,739 crore in 2025-26, an increase of Rs 21,207 crore with a growth rate of 7.3 per cent. The state’s borrowing has increased from Rs 1,05,246 crore to Rs 1,16,000 crore, a 10.2 per cent rise. However, the fiscal deficit remains within the 3 per cent limit set by financial responsibility laws, standing at 2.95 per cent of GSDP. The government has managed to reduce the revenue deficit from 0.95 per cent last year to 0.63 per cent this year, reflecting financial discipline, the CM pointed out.
Siddaramaiah criticised opposition leader R. Ashoka’s remarks, questioning his understanding of financial responsibility laws.
He pointed out that while Karnataka’s fiscal deficit stands at 2.95 per cent, the central government’s is 4.61 per cent, with 56 per cent of its Rs 50 lakh crore budget being financed by borrowing.
He accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and failing to manage their own finances. The state government has allocated Rs 52,009 crore for its guarantee schemes, with Rs 51,034 crore set aside for the upcoming year. Specific allocations include Rs 28,608 crore for the Gruha Lakshmi Rs 2,000 monthly cash incentive for woman heads scheme, Rs 10,100 crore for the Gruha Jyoti free power scheme, Rs 6,426 crore for the Anna Bhagya fee rice scheme, Rs 5,300 crore for the Shakti free travel for women scheme, and Rs 600 crore for the Yuva Nidhi scheme for fresh graduates and diploma holders.
In response to BJP’s criticism of renaming Central City University after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Siddaramaiah questioned whether Manmohan Singh’s contributions to the nation should be ignored.
Addressing concerns about major projects in the budget, he highlighted Rs 2,000 crore additional funding for irrigation, Rs 7,000 crore for Bengaluru, and Rs 54,000 crore for urban development. Capital expenditure has risen by 47.3 per cent to Rs 83,200 crore, he said.
On financial commitments, he dismissed concerns that guarantee schemes limit government flexibility, citing increased honorariums for Asha workers, temple priests, wrestlers, and guest lecturers.
Responding to BJP and JD(S) MLAs’ demands for additional funds, he assured that Rs 8,000 crore has been earmarked for all constituencies and will be increased if necessary.
Regarding Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s criticism, Siddaramaiah challenged him to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the central government has borrowed 56 per cent of its budget.
–IANS
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