Union Budget Gives Karnataka ‘Khaali Chombu’: CM Siddaramaiah Claims Emphasis On Bihar, Andhra
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has criticised the 2025 union budget, stating that it provided no funding for the state's projects and instead gave higher allocations to other states for political reasons.
Mysuru (Karnataka), Feb 1 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday slammed the union budget, saying it had given the state a ‘khaali chombu’ (empty vessel).
Siddaramaiah said he had high expectations from the budget for Karnataka, but none of them were met.
"The union budget for 2025-26, from the country’s point of view, especially for Karnataka, is very discouraging. There is no foresightedness in this budget," he said, speaking to reporters in Mysuru.
Siddaramaiah said he had sent several requests to the Centre to be included in this budget, but they were not considered.
Karnataka, as people know, is the second-highest taxpaying state, but it got a pittance.
"Our projects like the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery in Kanakapura, the Upper Bhadra water project, the Mahadayi river, and Krishna river irrigation projects were not given any consideration. We had high expectations from the budget, but it could not live up to them," he said.
"In Bengaluru, we had requested funds for stormwater drains and business corridors, but what we got is ‘khaali chombu’. In all, this budget gives Karnataka ‘chombu’," he added.
The CM charged that Bihar and Andhra Pradesh received the lion’s share.
"There is a coalition government at the Centre. For political reasons, special grants have been given to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. Last year and this year as well, they were given a package. In a way, this budget gives more emphasis to Bihar and AP," Siddaramaiah pointed out.
The chief minister said he has a gut feeling that Bihar too would get a ‘chombu’ the way Karnataka got it.
He, however, admitted that he had not read the entire budget and could not listen to Sitharaman’s full budget speech.
"But I have seen the main features of the budget." Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge said these are mere announcements and none would be fulfilled.
"I have no expectations from the budget. We have been seeing this for the past 10 years. Due to Modi’s masterstrokes, unemployment is at its peak," he told media in Hubbali. PTI GMS SSK GMS SSK ROH
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