Centre had shown ‘no real concern’ for SCs, STs: Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to enact laws for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, alleging that the Centre had shown “no real concern” for marginalised communities, even as he flagged delays in key irrigation projects and pending dues as major contributors to the State’s fiscal stress.

Replying to the debate on the 2026-27 Budget in the Legislative Council, Mr. Siddaramaiah rejected BJP members’ charge that funds earmarked under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) were being diverted for guarantee schemes. Terming the allegation “far from the truth”, he said allocations for social justice had, in fact, been significantly increased.

More allocation

While the previous BJP government had allocated about ₹1.10 lakh crore under SCSP/TSP over four years, the present government has allocated ₹1.60 lakh crore over a comparable period (including the coming year), an increase of nearly ₹50,000 crore, to schemes for the marginalised. Of the ₹4.48 lakh crore Budget, 9.96% has been earmarked for these schemes, higher than the Centre’s 6.5%, he said.

Recalling that Karnataka had enacted a law in 2013 mandating allocation of SCSP/TSP funds in proportion to population, he challenged the BJP to implement a similar framework in States where it was in power and at the national level. He pointed out that the State had scrapped the ‘7D’ (deemed expenditure) provision to ensure more effective utilisation of these funds.

Trickle-down model

Contrasting approaches, the Chief Minister said the BJP followed a “trickle-down” economic model favouring the wealthy, while his government was focused on strengthening the lower strata through welfare measures akin to a universal basic income approach. Guarantee schemes were being implemented without discrimination across caste, religion and class, he asserted.

Emphasising the government’s commitment to social justice, he said the Budget drew from the principles of B.R. Ambedkar, stressing that economic and social empowerment must accompany political freedom.

Project delays, pending dues

Mr. Siddaramaiah said delays in key irrigation projects were adding to the State’s financial burden. The Centre was yet to issue the final notification for the Upper Krishna project, while ₹5,300 crore announced for the Upper Bhadra project in 2023-24 had not been released. Clearances for the Mahadayi and Mekedatu projects were pending, affecting irrigation expansion.

“These delays have a direct bearing on both development and finances,” he said, urging MPs from Karnataka to press for approvals and release of funds.

He said ₹3,000 crore had been earmarked for land acquisition under the Upper Krishna project, with compensation fixed at ₹40 lakh per acre for irrigated land and ₹30 lakh for dry land under a consent award framework. Additional allocation would be made in the supplementary Budget if required.

Revenue projection

On revenue projections, the Chief Minister said targets were realistic, with ₹1.25 lakh crore estimated for 2026-27, including ₹45,000 crore from excise, ₹29,000 crore from registration and ₹15,500 crore from motor vehicle taxes.

Budget was passed amid a walkout by BJP members, who alleged that it was “anti-Dalit and anti-people”.