Karnataka govt has gone bankrupt, says Bommai

Gadag: Strongly opposing the concept of monetizing the government land, Haveri MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai criticized the Congress government for what he termed "stealing from the future."

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday Bommai expressed his concerns, stating, “The state government is completely bankrupt. Boston Consulting Group, the private agency, has suggested monetizing land. Monetizing the government's land is a crime. It is like stealing from the future. We will lose land protected by our ancestors for hundreds of years. If we lose these valuable lands, in the future, we will have to pay exorbitant prices for land needed for projects like schools and hospitals.”

“Monetizing land is a last resort for individuals, companies, or governments in financial distress, and when there is no other resource. This move by the state government proves it is in a financial crisis, regardless of the Chief Minister’s claims. No previous government has taken such a step. The BJP strongly opposes this. People should raise their voices. The financial mismanagement is unprecedented, setting the state back by ten years,” Bommai explained.

Labeling the Congress government as anti-poor, Bommai accused it of burdening the common man with constant price hikes in the past year.

“In one year we have seen increases in stamp duty, property registration, milk prices, and liquor prices. Now, petrol and diesel prices have risen. The Congress government grabs from the poor and common man and returns it in the form of guarantees,” he alleged.

"The government intends to monetize the land or engage in public-private partnerships, which means dealing with real estate interests," he added.

Bommai questioned the Chief Minister’s financial expertise, despite his claims of having presented 15 budgets. “The government has two advisors with no real value and is instead taking suggestions from a private consultant,” he added.