Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Friday presented his record 16th budget allocating rupees 4,535 crore for Minority Welfare programs-an increase of 33% over rupees 3,409 crore last year-igniting political fire storm with BJP branding. It ‘halal budget’ and accusing Congress government for practicing “appeasement”politics.
However, a big take away from the budget, with an outlay of over rupees 4 lakh crore, was an increase in capital expenditure by 25%, compared to 2% last year. Within capital expenditure, two biggest increases are in public works (187%) and Urban Development(173%) the CM made a specific mention of Bengaluru, saying the yearly grant of rupees 3,000 crore being provided to the city will be enhance to rupees 7000 crore.
The state economy survey released Friday estimate that Karnataka will grow by 7. 4% this fiscal, higher than India’s growth of 6. 4%. Agriculture has made a turn out because of good rains. Services grew by 8. 9%, higher than the previous fiscal. This was led by IT- related services that grew by 11. 1%, up from 10. 2% in 2023-24. Despite the higher capital allocations Siddaramaih has managed to keep the fisical deficit at 2. 95% of state GDP, just below the limit mandated under Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility act.
Among the schemes for minorities in the budget is the revival of ‘shaadi Bhagya’. In a new avatar-which entails a dole of rupees 50,000 to each eligible couple from economically weaker section-and introduction of reservation for Muslims in government contract up to rupees 2 crore. Minister BZ Zameer Khan justified Minority Welfare schemes saying the allocation was “minimal”.
BJP spokesperson Anil Anthony slam the quota provided to minorities. Saying it is unconstitutional and huge deviation from the principles of Dr BR Ambedkar, who strongly opposed reservations based on religious ground. “Congress is now disregarding its passed credentials on Social justice and is evolving into a modern version of Jinnah’s Muslim League”. He added.
Anthony while accusing Congress of minority appeasement, cited provisions made in the budget, including Rupees 6000 per month for imams, 150 crore for development of waqf properties in Karnataka, reinstatement of the scrapped 4% Muslim quota and 4% reservation in every government contract worth up to rupees 2 crore.
BJP’s Karnataka unit posted on social media, “scam CM Siddhartha in Karnataka presents Halal budget-appeasement at its peak”.
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