Karnataka budget ignores ‘Belagavi' in fund allocation, calls for protest tomorrow

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaih presented the first state budget on 7 July, since Congress took charge of the state government this year. However, Belagavi which is also known as the second capital of Karnataka received no allocation except for establishing a human body organ transplantation unit at a government-funded multi-specialty hospital in the city. 

The city residents feel disheartened as the state budget focused on the capital Bengaluru under the brand ‘Brand Bengaluru’. Bengaluru received ₹45,000 crore in the budget. It is pertinent to note that Belagavi is a commercial centre that attracts visitors from Goa and Maharashtra. 

Hence, the Kannada organizations and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will hold a protest tomorrow, Monday, July 10, according to a report published by the Hindustan Times. 

Uttara Karnataka Abhivrudhi Horata Samiti president Ashok Pujari informed HT that Congress, AAP, Kannada organizations, and Belagavi Chamber of Commerce and Industries will also extend support to the demonstration. 

“The Kannada organizations demanded a new district administration complex on the deputy commissioner office campus after the formation of the new Congress government in Karnataka. We also demanded funds for Kittur Development Authority, the legislative assembly building here, and others. Our demands are being neglected by all governments," Kannada Organisations’ Steering Committee convener, Ashok Chandaragi told HT. 

He further stated that former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai did the same by not allocating funds for the Kittu Development Authority after its establishment. 

Siddaramaiah has not even touched their long-pending demand for the construction of two flyovers and ring roads to avoid plying heavy vehicles and vehicular burden inside the city, Chandaragi added. 

The Congress government which recently came to power in the southern state has increased the Budget size from ₹265,720 crore in 2022-23 to ₹327,747 crore in 2023-24, a ₹62,027 crore increase with a growth rate of 23 per cent.

Of the total expenditure, revenue expenditure is estimated at ₹2,50,933 crore and capital expenditure at ₹54,374 crore, an increase of 23 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively.

The state government termed this Budget to be their 'Guarantee Budget' and asserted that it fulfils all the five key promises it made to the people ahead of the Assembly polls. For the implementation of those pre-poll promises, a total of ₹35,410 crore has been allocated in today's Budget.