Budget has increased debt burden, say BJP and JD (S)

The BJP and the JD (S) criticised the State Budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday as one that burdened people by increasing pubic debt.

BJP legislators staged a dharna on the premises of Vidhana Soudha with empty vessels, while alleging that all that the Budget had given to people of the State was an empty bowl.

“While he may celebrate the presentation of his 17th Budget, the people of Karnataka are left bearing the burden of its consequences. In his pursuit of records, Mr. Siddaramaiah has pushed the State’s economy in disarray,” Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy alleged, in a statement.

“One thing is clear: Karnataka’s economy is sliding towards a worrying slowdown. Beyond the warnings issued by the CAG and the Reserve Bank, the State now faces a far deeper fiscal risk,” he maintained.

“This Budget is harsh on the ears and heavy on the State. Once again, the Chief Minister has chosen to indulge in unnecessary criticism of the Union government.”

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok alleged that the Budget had imposed an enormous debt burden on the people of Karnataka while offering little in terms of real development. “The Siddaramaiah government has accumulated nearly ₹4.39 lakh crore in debt, effectively handing the people an empty bowl instead of meaningful development,” he said.

BJP State president B. Y. Vijayendra said, “The 17th Budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah does not have a leader’s vision but a mere clerical approach.”