PM has turned his back on Karnataka, says Karnataka CM over Union Budget
He termed the Union Budget “Modi betrays Karnataka again” and expressed his displeasure over the Budget as “Karnataka Pays, Modi Loots.”
Bengaluru: Coming down heavily on the Union Budget-2025 presented by Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ignoring Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday stated Karnataka has been made to suffer under Modi led Union Government over BJP's defeat in 2023 Assembly polls at the hands of Congress party.
He termed the Union Budget “Modi betrays Karnataka again” and expressed his displeasure over the Budget as “Karnataka Pays, Modi Loots.”
He took to his social media account to hit out at the Central Government and expressed his anguish over the Union Budget by stating “Karnataka contributes Rs 4 lakh crore in taxes every year. But, what do we get in return? Nothing!
Siddaramaiah recalled a statement made by national president of BJP J.P. Nadda during the 2023 Assembly polls in Karnataka wherein Nadda had warned the voters “Vote for BJP or you won’t get Modi’s blessings.”
“Karnataka rejected BJP in 2023 and now the Modi government is punishing our State through the Union Budget. This has been happening despite Karnataka’s massive contribution to the nation’s economy but the Union budget offers no special allocation of funds, no fair tax share, no irrigation or infrastructure funds and no disaster relief,” stated the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister pointed at the Rs 5, 495 crore for Karnataka stuck with the Central Government. As per the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission, Karnataka is entitled to get Rs 5, 495 crore but Modi refuses to release it State’s rightful share.
By this act of Modi, the Chief Minister said less funding for development projects, no support from the Centre for irrigation and infrastructure and unfair tax distribution goes on.
Siddaramaiah stated “Bengaluru Ignored Again” in the Union Budget and accused the Central Government of stalling Bengaluru’s growth by non-allocation of funds for suburban rail project, ignored metro rail expansion and no announcement of Centre’s support to Outer Ring Road.
In addition, the Union budget, the Chief Minister said key irrigation projects such as Upper Bhadra, declared a national project but no funds allocated.
Similar, State Government proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir across River Cauvery in Ramnagar district also has not got approval from the Centre while the project is of utmost importance to meet drinking water needs of residents of Bengaluru, no clearance has been accorded for Upper Krishna or for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala projects.
