New Delhi/Bengaluru, March 6 (NationPress) Union Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs, and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has condemned the 17th Budget introduced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, emphasizing that its primary characteristic is its substantial amount of Rs 4.48 lakh crore. He noted that it also sets records for escalating state debt and fiscal deficit, seemingly influenced by “vote bank” motives.

In response to the Karnataka government’s Budget for 2026–27, Joshi remarked on Friday that rather than guiding the state toward economic advancement, the Budget has revealed a path to financial hardship. He claimed it appears tailored to benefit select segments of society, particularly minorities.

Despite the Budget's size of Rs 4.48 lakh crore, Joshi argued that it fails to present a coherent economic strategy, resembling more of a political manifesto than a document grounded in sound economic principles.

Addressing the fiscal context, Joshi pointed out that the Budget indicates a fiscal deficit of Rs 97,449 crore and a revenue deficit of Rs 29,957 crore. He accused Siddaramaiah, once dubbed “Lekkaramayya” for his financial skills, of imposing a debt load of Rs 1.32 lakh crore on the state.

Furthermore, Joshi criticized the state government for failing to allocate any funds in the Budget for the “VB-G RAM G” scheme, which he stated provides 125 days of employment and is crucial for urban and rural development. He claimed this demonstrates the government's anti-development stance.

He further contended that the Budget lacks any structural initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth or infrastructure enhancement, labeling it a “guarantee-driven debt trap.” He also suggested it embodies the Congress high command’s appeasement politics and “vote bank” strategies, including the decision to name Gram Panchayats after Mahatma Gandhi.

According to Joshi, even though the Budget has expanded by Rs 40,000 crore compared to the previous year, and the fiscal deficit is maintained at 2.95 percent of the state GDP, the overall debt has surged to Rs 8.24 lakh crore, marking a historic high in the state’s financial records. He accused the Siddaramaiah administration of deflecting blame onto the Union government to conceal its own fiscal mismanagement.

Joshi asserted that the Budget lacks depth, despite its claims of promoting social equity, and continues to prioritize minority groups. He noted the allocation of Rs 1,635 crore for minority colonies, the waiver of interest for minority corporation borrowers, and the announcement of Rs 50,000 for laptops for 5,000 minority students.

He also highlighted the plans for Haj Bhavans in Hubballi and Kalaburagi, suggesting that many other communities have been overlooked.

Additionally, he alleged that Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the Davanagere South constituency, anticipating a by-election where Muslim voters are significant. He questioned why similar financial provisions were not made for other constituencies, labeling it as minority appeasement and a Budget driven by vote bank politics.

Joshi pointed out that there is no allocation for the “Yuva Nidhi” guarantee scheme, previously announced, which could indicate that the government may be moving away from its guarantee schemes. He suggested that the youth have been neglected, implying that the Congress administration may not consider them as part of its electoral base.

He stated that aside from education and what he termed “unscientific guarantee schemes,” the Budget does not deliver any substantial advantages to other sectors.

In particular, he criticized the complete neglect of the health and agricultural sectors, while social welfare, infrastructure, and development have been disregarded.

Joshi further asserted that the Budget primarily focuses on projects related to Indira Canteen and a few cities such as Bengaluru, Mysuru, Davanagere, and Kalaburagi, leaving regions like North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka, along with numerous districts, behind.

He also reproached the Budget for not allocating any concrete financial resources for irrigation projects, claiming that the state government is shirking responsibility by blaming the need for approvals from the Union government.

In summary, Joshi remarked that the Budget lacks direction and vision and will not facilitate public welfare or economic advancement.

“It is fundamentally a debt-driven and vote bank-oriented Budget,” he concluded.