Bengaluru, March 6 (NationPress) R. Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and a prominent BJP figure, expressed strong disapproval of the State Budget unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday. He argued that the budget places an enormous debt burden on the citizens of Karnataka while failing to deliver substantial progress.

Ashoka stated that the current administration has thrust Karnataka into unprecedented debt levels. “With this Budget included, the Siddaramaiah government has amassed close to Rs 4.39 lakh crore in debt, effectively presenting the populace with an empty bowl instead of genuine growth,” he declared.

He characterized the budget as lacking in both substance and foresight. “This is a budget that can be compared to the saying ‘borrow and feast’, yet devoid of taste. It lacks significant new development plans and is merely a collection of initiatives funded through loans. Over the past three years alone, the government has burdened the people of Karnataka with an astonishing Rs 4.39 lakh crore in debt. The situation is such that even paying the interest on this debt will soon become a challenge,” Ashoka stated.

He highlighted that the fiscal deficit has soared to nearly Rs 97,000 crore and cautioned that if the current trajectory continues, the state's debt could exceed Rs 10 lakh crore shortly.

“Siddaramaiah has outpaced all previous chief ministers in terms of borrowing,” he remarked.

Ashoka also accused the government of neglecting essential sectors like irrigation and urban development. “There is no meaningful funding for irrigation. Even though the government committed to Rs 10,000 crore annually for the Krishna basin projects, they have delivered nothing but disappointment. The total funding for all irrigation projects combined is a mere Rs 8,045 crore, which is grossly insufficient,” he said.

He further condemned the lack of attention given to Bengaluru's urgent civic issues. “The Budget fails to address crucial problems like waste management and the numerous potholes plaguing Bengaluru. The city, which generates the highest revenue for the state, deserves significantly more consideration,” Ashoka stated.

Ashoka also pointed out the neglect of North Karnataka, noting that the government has not acted on the Govind Rao Committee's recommendations, which suggested an allocation of Rs 43,000 crore to rectify regional disparities.

“Likewise, coastal districts like Mangaluru, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada have received virtually nothing in this Budget. Despite being among the top contributors in tax revenue, the coastal region has been completely overlooked,” he remarked.

The Opposition leader forewarned that the government might soon resort to raising taxes to manage its declining finances. “Youth across the state have been protesting due to the lack of government job opportunities, yet this Budget provides no viable solutions. There are also no significant allocations for rural roads or special support for the Kalyana Karnataka region,” he said.

Ashoka further alleged irregularities within flagship welfare programs. “Approximately Rs 5,000 crore under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme is unaccounted for. Additionally, the government has eliminated the 5 percent registration fee concession previously available to low-income families,” he noted.

Ashoka claimed that the Congress government came to power with promises of equitable growth under the motto “equal share and equal prosperity for all.”

“Today, that promise has morphed into ‘tax for all and debt for all’. Whenever faced with public backlash, the government simply shifts the blame onto the Union government and attempts to mislead the public. This same narrative was recycled in the Budget address instead of offering an honest evaluation of the state's finances,” he said.

He contended that the scale of borrowing itself reveals the government's poor fiscal management. “Borrowing levels were about Rs 82,000 crore in 2023–24, rising to Rs 1.05 lakh crore in 2024–25, Rs 1.16 lakh crore in 2025–26, and projected to reach Rs 1.32 lakh crore in 2026–27. Within a mere four years, this government is steering the state toward an additional Rs 4.4 lakh crore of debt. The pressing question every Kannadiga is asking today is: Is this borrowing for actual development, or are we mortgaging the state’s future to fulfill electoral promises?” Ashoka asserted.

He expressed growing concern over the state’s financial health. “For the fiscal year 2026–27, Karnataka’s total revenue receipts are projected to be around Rs 3.15 lakh crore, yet nearly Rs 2.77 lakh crore will be allocated to mandatory expenses such as salaries, pensions, and interest payments. This indicates that about 88 percent of the state’s revenue is already tied up in past obligations,” he remarked.

He further indicated that the state currently faces a revenue deficit of Rs 22,957 crore and a fiscal deficit nearing Rs 1.1 lakh crore.

“This Budget buries Karnataka deeper into a debt trap rather than prioritizing development and investment,” he stated.

Ashoka contrasted this situation with the fiscal discipline observed during the previous BJP administration. “Under the BJP's governance, the state practiced fiscal discipline, keeping debt within 25 percent of GSDP, fiscal deficit within 3 percent, and even achieving revenue surplus in several years. Today, the state is being pushed into a scenario where borrowing is necessary even for routine expenses,” he commented.

“The Congress government’s strategy reflects an emphasis on debt rather than development, financial recklessness instead of accountability, and blame-shifting rather than long-term vision,” Ashoka concluded.