Shivamogga: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar on Friday accused the central government of consistently adopting a discriminatory approach towards Karnataka in the Union Budget. He also criticised the silence of BJP MPs and central ministers from the state on this issue.
Speaking to the media near Shivamogga Circuit House, Shivakumar said, “The central government has always shown bias against Karnataka in the budget. BJP MPs and central ministers have not said anything about this. They behave as if Karnataka holds no importance, as if it exists only in name but contributes nothing.”
When asked about expectations from the central budget, he stated that the government has failed to fulfil its promises. “The Centre had promised Rs 5,300 crore for the Bhadra Upper project, but the funds have not yet been released,” he added.
Responding to BJP’s poster campaign accusing the Congress-led state government of corruption and the demand for the resignation of Excise Minister RB Thimmapur, Shivakumar said the Congress has also exposed several scams linked to the BJP.
“There are many allegations from the past, including those related to the COVID period. We can also bring those to light. They are politicising issues for their own benefit. Let the investigations be completed,” he said.
Regarding the extension of the assembly’s special session to discuss MGNREGA, Shivakumar said the Chief Minister had raised this matter in the house, and the Speaker suggested referring it to the Business Advisory Committee. Accordingly, the discussion took place on Thursday.
“We will clarify why the VB Ramji Act should be repealed. In the current situation, it is not feasible to implement it in any state. It is peak agricultural season and farmers are already earning wages through agricultural work,” he explained. He added that ending the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) would not benefit anyone.
Shivakumar further said that although the central government claims to have increased the number of working days to 125, it will not be possible to provide work for so many days throughout the year. “Each gram panchayat is facing a loss of Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore, and even job card holders are suffering,” he said.
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