Koppal, Oct 6 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Monday that Kannadigas lead the nation in per capita income.

“This reflects the economic success of our administration. Karnataka stands second in the country regarding tax contributions. This is a collective achievement of our government,” the Chief Minister stated during an event hosted by the Koppal District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Welfare Department for Backward Classes.

Siddaramaiah inaugurated and laid the groundwork for various development initiatives worth Rs 2,000 crore throughout Koppal district, while also distributing benefits across several departmental schemes to numerous beneficiaries.

He remarked, “In the last two years, we have injected Rs 1 lakh crore directly into the public’s hands through guaranteed schemes. This has significantly boosted the purchasing power of the state's populace, augmented per capita income, and spurred the state’s economic growth.”

The Chief Minister stressed that his administration has devised plans for the advancement of all communities, asserting, “Individuals from diverse castes and religions have collaboratively propelled the state’s economic progress.”

Highlighting specific initiatives, Siddaramaiah noted that in Koppal district alone, 9.22 lakh women have availed of free travel, costing Rs 330 crore.

He added that under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, Rs 1,283 crore has been allocated to 3,17,776 beneficiaries. The Gruha Jyothi scheme has benefited 2,75,903 individuals with Rs 290 crore. Additionally, 39,097 metric tons of food grains worth Rs 320 crore were distributed to 1.96 crore people in the district under the Anna Bhagya scheme.

He posed the question, “If the BJP had been in power, would such financial support have been extended to the public?”

Siddaramaiah underscored the economic milestones achieved by his government, reiterating that Kannadigas are the highest earners per capita in the nation.

He mentioned that the government has allocated Rs 13,000 crore for the development of Kalyana Karnataka, and compensation of Rs 80,000 crore is being provided to farmers related to the Krishna Project, all under his leadership.

Criticizing the opposition, he stated, “The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is the only one that has genuinely executed development projects. During the BJP's administration, no housing or development initiatives were undertaken, which is why they are disgruntled about our success.”

On the topic of GST, Siddaramaiah claimed that the BJP-led central government under PM Modi has consistently imposed taxes on both the state and the public over the past eight years.

“We opposed the GST taxes and sought simplification. Those who have levied taxes for eight years are now seeking credit for the simplification. Currently, the central government is withholding Rs 15,000 crore from Karnataka, and the 15th Finance Commission has perpetrated injustice against the state. BJP MPs and central ministers from Karnataka have failed to address this in Parliament,” he added.

He further stated that despite visiting Delhi four times to address this injustice, neither Prime Minister Modi nor Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has taken any action.

Siddaramaiah also focused on irrigation initiatives, stating, “We have supplied water to Mukkumbi tank, and an allocation of Rs 650 crore is now made for filling the Yalaburga constituency tank. This is the funding from our government - yours and mine.”

“I experience the same joy coming to Koppal as I do visiting Mysuru. I am forever grateful for your affection. Had Rajiv Gandhi not been assassinated, I would have represented Koppal in Parliament. I have repaid part of this debt, and I will fulfill the rest as well,” he concluded.