Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy to present maiden budget today

The maiden budget also comes amid coalition worries and debate over whether there was a need for a full-fledged fresh budget as the government would continue almost all the flagship schemes of the previous government.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. PTI Photo

BENGALURU:  Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will present the Congress-JDS coalition government's maiden budget on Thursday. The budget is expected to have farm loan waiver as in the run-up to the recent assembly polls, the Kumaraswamy-led JD(S) had promised to waive farm loans borrowed both from cooperative and nationalised banks within 24 hours of coming to power. He had earlier cited coalition compulsions and the need for studying the financial condition of the state as the reason for the delay in the announcement of loan waiver. The maiden budget also comes amid coalition worries and debate over whether there was a need for a full-fledged fresh budget as the government would continue almost all the flagship schemes of the previous government. Congress party President Rahul Gandhi expressed confidence about the Congress-JDS coalition government acting on its commitment to waive farmer loans and to make farming more profitable. "On the eve of the Karnataka Budget, I'm confident our Congress-JDS coalition Govt will act on our commitment to waive farmer loans & to make farming more profitable," he said in a tweet. "This budget is an opportunity for our Govt. to make Karnataka a beacon of hope for farmers all across India," he said The Congress-JD(S) coordination committee constituted to oversee the smooth functioning of the government had on Sunday approved the Common Minimum Programme, which includes waiver of farm loans, creation of one crore jobs and allocation of Rs. 1.25 lakh crore for irrigation over the next five years. It also included construction of 20 lakh houses for homeless families in the state in the next five years, along with implementation of a universal health policy, 'Arogya Karnataka' of the previous government, among others. Leader of the opposition in the assembly BS Yeddyurappa has warned that if the government fails to keep up its promises on loan waiver, BJP and all its 104 lawmakers would go to the people with the Congress and JD(S) manifestos to inform them that the parties have not 'walked the talk.' (with input from agencies)