Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented the state budget for the first time since Congress took control of the state following its sweeping victory in the assembly elections on May 10. Siddaramaiah said that approximately Rs 52,000 crore would be spent annually for the five key poll "guarantees" and that it is anticipated to benefit 1.3 crore households
He stated that the government will provide each household with an average additional financial assistance of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per month through the five "guarantees" (poll promises) in the Legislative Assembly.
The five "guarantees" included free bus travel for women, free electricity for 200 units, free food for the poor (ten kilograms), Rs 2,000 for the housewife, and up to Rs 3,000 in unemployment benefits for the unemployed. These pre-poll promises, according to some political analysts, resonated with voters, leading to the Congress' resounding victory in the Assembly elections.
As Siddaramaiah presented his record-breaking 14th budget on Friday, this was his seventh Budget as chief minister.
During his time as the state's legislature from 2013 to 2018, he has already presented six budgets. Since its first day, the current assembly session has seen widespread unrest regarding various topics, including the Congress party's election guarantees. Notably, Congress has requested time to implement two of its five poll guarantees and has already implemented three of them.
Meanwhile, Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said, "We are committed to fulfil our poll promises".
Congress' five poll 'guarantees'
The implementation of the five poll guarantees is supposed to cost the state exchequer an expected Rs 60,000 crore per year.
He has indicated that the size of the budget this year could be about Rs 3.35 lakh crore.
According to sources in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the 14th Budget faces challenges at a time when the country is ruled by a profit-oriented market and corporate economic policy, erasing socialist economic policies and killing pro-people concerns, reported news agency IANS.
They stated that the primary objective will be to gather resources and put into action all five of the promises made in the Congress Party's election manifesto.
Siddaramaiah has expressed that more than Rs 50,000 crore is expected during the current year for the free schemes.
To have a strong foundation for winning the most seats in the Lok Sabha elections in the coming year, it will be necessary to strike a balance between the state's development and fiscal discipline on the one hand, and the implementation of free schemes on the other.
According to the sources, the Congress government's intention to oppose the BJP was also explained.
The sources gave the impression that Siddaramaiah would attack the BJP-led Central government regarding its share of the GST and the alleged failure of the Centre to sell rice to the state.
Major irrigation and development projects like Ettinahole, Mekedatu, Upper Krishna, Upper Bhadra, Kalasa Banduri, and Alamatti will invariably require the state government to mobilize resources for guarantees and reserve funds.
In addition, Siddaramaiah must ensure that Bengaluru's development receives adequate funding.
To alleviate traffic issues, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has submitted a proposal to construct 17 flyovers. However, the civic agencies have yet to pay contractors Rs 7,000 crore in unpaid bills.
The suburban rail project and new metro routes aimed at decongesting Bengaluru will also need funding from the state government.
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