Bengaluru: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna on Friday criticised the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, terming it a “debt-driven and anti-people” exercise that has failed to address the state’s fiscal challenges.
Somanna told the media at Vijayanagar district that the CM, who has presented the state budget 17 times, has disappointed the public with his latest one.
“The budget reflects an administration trapped in the illusion of governance. It is essentially a debt budget,” the MoS said, adding that the state has already taken loans amounting to nearly half of its fiscal requirements. Somanna represents Tumakuru in the Lok Sabha.
He questioned the government’s strategy to repay the mounting debt, alleging that the state’s total debt burden could rise from about ₹5 lakh crore to ₹10 lakh crore in the coming years. “There is no clarity on revenue sources to repay this debt. Claims of generating ₹2 lakh crore in income are misleading,” he said.
MINORITY APPEASEMENT
The MoS also accused the government of prioritising minority welfare over broader development. He alleged that thousands of Kannada-medium schools had been shut while large grants were extended to minority institutions.
Somanna said subsidies had been provided to Moulvis while salaries of priests in temples under the Muzrai department had not been increased and funds for temple development had not been adequately allocated.
He also raised concerns about the healthcare system, citing inadequate facilities in government hospitals. “Poor patients struggle to even get a CT scan in government hospitals. How can they afford private hospitals?” he asked, referring to conditions at Victoria Hospital.
Calling the budget “anti-people”, he said announcements such as filling 56,000 government posts lacked clarity and approvals from the Finance Commission.
MODI MODEL
The minister praised the governance model of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the state government to adopt transparent administrative practices.
He also highlighted the Centre’s support to Karnataka, stating that the Union government had allocated ₹52,000 crore for railway projects in the state and sanctioned several high-speed rail and infrastructure initiatives.
According to Somanna, about ₹10,000 crore has been earmarked for nine railway projects in Karnataka, with efforts underway to complete them within the next two to three years.
He said the Centre would also extend support to irrigation initiatives such as the Bhadra Upper River Project.
“Karnataka is a major industrial hub, yet the budget lacks a clear roadmap for development, including for Bengaluru,” Somanna said, adding that the financial condition of the state remains “deeply concerning”.
Somanna told the media at Vijayanagar district that the CM, who has presented the state budget 17 times, has disappointed the public with his latest one.
“The budget reflects an administration trapped in the illusion of governance. It is essentially a debt budget,” the MoS said, adding that the state has already taken loans amounting to nearly half of its fiscal requirements. Somanna represents Tumakuru in the Lok Sabha.
He questioned the government’s strategy to repay the mounting debt, alleging that the state’s total debt burden could rise from about ₹5 lakh crore to ₹10 lakh crore in the coming years. “There is no clarity on revenue sources to repay this debt. Claims of generating ₹2 lakh crore in income are misleading,” he said.
MINORITY APPEASEMENT
The MoS also accused the government of prioritising minority welfare over broader development. He alleged that thousands of Kannada-medium schools had been shut while large grants were extended to minority institutions.
Somanna said subsidies had been provided to Moulvis while salaries of priests in temples under the Muzrai department had not been increased and funds for temple development had not been adequately allocated.
He also raised concerns about the healthcare system, citing inadequate facilities in government hospitals. “Poor patients struggle to even get a CT scan in government hospitals. How can they afford private hospitals?” he asked, referring to conditions at Victoria Hospital.
Calling the budget “anti-people”, he said announcements such as filling 56,000 government posts lacked clarity and approvals from the Finance Commission.
MODI MODEL
The minister praised the governance model of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the state government to adopt transparent administrative practices.
He also highlighted the Centre’s support to Karnataka, stating that the Union government had allocated ₹52,000 crore for railway projects in the state and sanctioned several high-speed rail and infrastructure initiatives.
According to Somanna, about ₹10,000 crore has been earmarked for nine railway projects in Karnataka, with efforts underway to complete them within the next two to three years.
He said the Centre would also extend support to irrigation initiatives such as the Bhadra Upper River Project.
“Karnataka is a major industrial hub, yet the budget lacks a clear roadmap for development, including for Bengaluru,” Somanna said, adding that the financial condition of the state remains “deeply concerning”.
