Karnataka Minister Boseraju Critiques Union Budget for Ignoring State Needs

Bengaluru, Feb 1 (NationPress) Karnataka Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Minister N. S. Boseraju stated on Saturday that the Union Government has once again shown a "step-motherly" attitude towards the state, neglecting its rightful expectations and urgent issues.

Pointing out the ongoing biased approach of the Centre, the Minister stressed that a robust federal system demands equitable, transparent, and non-discriminatory policies.

He mentioned that the Siddaramaiah-led state government has persistently urged the Centre to regard states as equal participants in national development instead of mere revenue generators.

Regrettably, these requests have gone unnoticed, he added.

With the term of the 15th Finance Commission concluding next year, the Centre has "failed" to implement the Commission's recommendation to provide a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore and a state-specific grant of Rs 6,000 crore, according to the Minister.

In 2023, 223 out of 236 taluks in Karnataka faced severe drought conditions, resulting in crop damage across 48 lakh hectares and financial losses estimated at Rs 35,162 crore. Despite the state government's compensation request of Rs 18,171 crore, the Centre only allocated Rs 3,454 crore through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

He asserted that despite damages caused by heavy rainfall in 2024, particularly in Bengaluru, no financial help has been granted through the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).

Additionally, significant water infrastructure projects like Mahadayi, Krishna, and Mekedatu continue to suffer unwarranted delays due to the Centre's "inaction", he alleged.

He stated that declaring the Upper Bhadra River Project a national project would have been transformative for drought-affected regions like Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, and Davangere, as the Public Investment Committee has already given it the green light, yet the Union Budget once again "failed" to address this vital requirement.

"The Kalyan Karnataka region (formerly Hyderabad-Karnataka) endures ongoing regional disparities in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The State Government has been investing Rs 5,000 crore annually for the area's development, and both Hon’ble Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge have urged the Centre to allocate an extra Rs 5,000 crore in the Union Budget. However, this request has been completely disregarded, exacerbating regional inequalities," Minister Boseraju expressed.

Moreover, despite significant water scarcity in several districts, Karnataka's appeal for increased support under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), and the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) scheme to improve groundwater resources remains unanswered, he lamented.

Raichur, designated as an aspirational District and given special status under Article 371(J), has been eagerly awaiting an AIIMS institution to enhance healthcare access.

The Chief Minister has consistently written to the Centre, pledging necessary support, yet the Union Government has neglected this demand in the Budget, resulting in yet another setback for the state, he concluded.

Despite numerous proposals and ongoing efforts from the State Government, the Union Budget has once again overlooked Karnataka's urgent needs.

BJP MPs and Union Ministers representing the state have remained mute, failing to advocate for Karnataka's interests. This neglect is a "grave injustice" to the people of the state, Minister Boseraju criticized.