Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka), Apr 13 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused the Centre of “betraying” the state by not releasing funds for the Bhadra Upper Canal Project, while asserting that his government’s guarantee schemes are a form of development and the state’s financial position remains stronger than that of the union government.
Speaking after inaugurating a bridge across the Bhadra backwaters connecting Handuru village to Narasimharajapura, laying the foundation stone for various development works and distribution of benefits, he said the government has pursued development alongside welfare measures.
“The opposition alleges that there is no money for development works, that the treasury has been emptied due to guarantee schemes, and that development has come to a standstill. However, our government has ensured development alongside the implementation of guarantees,” Siddaramaiah said.
Maintaining that guarantee schemes themselves constitute development, he cited the architect of the Indian Constitution, B R Ambedkar to underline that political freedom must be supported by economic, social and educational empowerment.
Building an egalitarian society is the objective of the Constitution, he said, adding that the opposition should understand this philosophy.
Referring to the region’s history, he said Narasimharajapura was earlier known as Edalli during the reign of Mysuru Maharaja Narasimharaja Wadiyar and that the newly inaugurated bridge, built at a cost of Rs 36 crore, was taken up to boost local development.
He said the government would also examine demands such as road widening, construction of a barrage-cum-bridge and tourism promotion.
On the Bhadra Upper Canal Project, he said the Centre had announced Rs 5,300 crore in the 2023–24 Budget, but had not released the funds so far.
“This amounts to a betrayal of the people of the state by the Centre,” he said.
Defending the government’s flagship schemes, he said Rs 1.30 lakh crore has been spent on guarantees so far.
“While the BJP criticises the guarantees in this state, it is implementing similar schemes in other states,” he said.
Alleging misinformation by the BJP on the state’s finances, he said Karnataka’s GDP growth rate stands at 8.1 per cent compared to the Centre’s 7.14 per cent.
He also claimed that the country’s debt has risen from Rs 53.11 lakh crore to Rs 218 lakh crore during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“For the BJP, which is spreading misinformation about the state’s financial condition, lies have become a habit,” he said.
Responding to BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, who had sought a white paper on the state’s economy, the Chief Minister said such statements were being made without understanding budgetary details. He also alleged that the Centre had failed to release funds recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, causing injustice to the state.
The promised ‘Achche Din’ have not arrived, he said, taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Our government has implemented the guarantees and has acted as promised,” he said, urging people not to believe what he termed as “misleading” claims by the BJP. PTI GMS ROH
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