Karnataka Leader of Opposition and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader R. Ashoka on Tuesday, 22 September alleged that the state's own Finance Department had laid bare a deepening fiscal crisis, stating there was little room for new schemes or additional borrowing — even as the state grapples with a worsening drought. Ashoka raised the charge during a Legislative Assembly discussion on the drought situation in Bengaluru.

The Finance Department Letter at the Centre of the Row

Citing a Finance Department communication dated 17 September, Ashoka claimed projects worth around ₹1,000 crore had been left out of the budget, and that financing new schemes would be difficult until additional resources were identified. He alleged the fiscal deficit had reached 2.95 per cent against the 3 per cent ceiling under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) framework, while the revenue deficit stood at ₹22,952 crore.

The state's outstanding liabilities had reportedly reached 24.94 per cent of GSDP, just under the 25 per cent ceiling, Ashoka claimed. He further alleged that pending bills had touched approximately ₹2 lakh crore, with four departments — including Public Works and Water Resources — accounting for ₹36,136 crore. Works worth more than ₹5,000 crore, he said, had been approved in the first six months of the current financial year alone.

Drought Response Under Attack

'Natural drought can be addressed only if there is no financial drought in the government,' Ashoka said, alleging that the state's fiscal constraints could directly impair drought relief, drinking water supply, and fodder arrangements for cattle.

He accused the government of acting too late, pointing out that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had flagged the risk of deficient rainfall as early as April, and that the Centre had also signalled a possible El Niño impact around the same time. Despite a Cabinet note reportedly being prepared in April, the government formally declared drought only four months later, Ashoka alleged.

He also questioned the adequacy of arrangements for drinking water, fodder, cattle shelters, and borewell repairs across the state, noting that Karnataka has around 37 lakh borewells and asking how many remained functional.

Cloud Seeding Row and Crop Shortfall

Ashoka criticised the government's cloud seeding programme, alleging that ₹28 crore had been allocated for the exercise despite weather department warnings against it. He claimed the operation had yielded no tangible benefit for farmers. On the agricultural front, he noted that only 67.32 lakh hectares had been sown by 4 September against a target of 84.10 lakh hectares — a significant shortfall that he attributed partly to delayed official action.

Ashoka's List of Demands

The BJP leader presented a series of demands to the government, including a farm loan waiver, compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for affected farmers, regulation of private lenders, and expanded employment under rural schemes. He also sought adequate fodder stocks, functional cattle shelters, lake desilting, and relaxation of borewell restrictions where warranted.

Additionally, Ashoka called for targeted assistance for migrant families and educational support for their children, and urged the government to activate a proposed ₹5,000 crore natural disaster fund. As the assembly session continues, the ruling party is expected to respond to the charges in the coming days.