BJP Claims Karnataka's Congress Government is a '60% Commission' Administration, Leading to Fiscal Crisis

Bengaluru, Jan 8 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, has labeled the administration led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as a '60 percent commission government', asserting that the Congress party is driving the state towards financial ruin.

During a press briefing in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Ashoka expressed concern that Karnataka is on a path to bankruptcy, drawing parallels with states like Himachal Pradesh and Kerala.

He contended that contractors are facing payment delays due to the government's inefficiency.

Ashoka pointed out that while contractors previously accused the BJP government of imposing a 40 percent commission, they are now referring to the Congress leadership as a '60 percent commission government', with some even contemplating drastic measures due to their dire circumstances.

The BJP leader further alleged that corruption is widespread under the Congress rule, claiming that bribes of Rs 10 lakh are needed for 30x40 plots, Rs 20 lakh for 40x60 plots, and Rs 40 lakh for larger land allocations.

According to Ashoka, the Congress government owes contractors a staggering Rs 32,000 crore, and to cover these costs, it is implementing taxes across various sectors.

He criticized the state government for its failure to effectively utilize the allocated budget funds.

Out of a total of Rs 3.22 lakh crore earmarked in the state budget, only Rs 1.79 lakh crore (55.69 percent) has been expended thus far, leaving a significant 45 percent to be utilized in the upcoming two months.

In specific initiatives such as the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP), only Rs 13,923 crore (48.81 percent) out of Rs 28,527.02 crore has been utilized, Ashoka noted.

In the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), just Rs 4,937.59 crore (42.88 percent) has been spent from Rs 11,515.39 crore.

From the Rs 3,077 crore allocated for Special Development Projects, only Rs 1,076 crore (34 percent) has been used, according to Ashoka.

He asserted that there has been no proper allocation of state funds as the Congress government had pledged.

Ashoka also condemned the Congress administration for reducing funding for crucial welfare programs compared to the budget set forth by the BJP when it was in power.

For instance, in the Ambedkar Development Corporation (Ganga Kalyana Scheme), the BJP allocated Rs 60 crore in 2022-23, but the Congress-led government cut it down to Rs 40 crore, he stated, criticizing the administration.

In the Ambedkar Development Corporation (Self-Employment Scheme), the BJP had allocated Rs 100 crore, while Congress decreased it to Rs 45 crore. The BJP provided Rs 110 crore for the Tanda Development Corporation, but Congress slashed it to Rs 60 crore, Ashoka elaborated.

The BJP allocated Rs 100 crore for the Veerashaiva-Lingayat Development Corporation, yet the Congress government reduced it to Rs 60 crore.

Additionally, the BJP set aside Rs 274.68 crore for temples and religious institutions, which the Congress slashed to just Rs 17.50 crore, Ashoka remarked while criticizing the Congress leadership.

For the maintenance of Hindu burial grounds, the BJP allocated Rs 25 crore, but Congress cut it down to Rs 10 crore. Regarding Weavers' Welfare Schemes, the BJP provided Rs 125.77 crore, while Congress allocated a mere Rs 10 crore, he highlighted.

Ashoka accused the Congress government of plunging the state into turmoil due to corruption and economic mismanagement.

He also alleged that key associates of Minister Priyank Kharge, some of whom are on a criminal watch list, have not faced arrest yet, suggesting they might be receiving police protection.

Furthermore, he claimed that during his time as State Transport Minister, infrastructure such as bus depots was developed, generating income through rentals. However, he criticized the current Congress government for failing to build necessary infrastructure, ultimately leading to losses for BMTC due to its policies.

Ashoka called on the Congress government to form a task force to address the emergence of new viruses, stressing the importance of oxygen supply, audits by officials at district and taluk levels, and immediate preparedness.