Karnataka BJP Urges Siddaramaiah to Disclose Financial Report
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Synopsis
In a recent press conference, Karnataka BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to release a detailed white paper on the state's financial status, citing serious concerns over salary payments, increased fees, and the management of consolidated funds.
Key Takeaways
- BJP demands a financial white paper from CM Siddaramaiah.
- Alleges mismanagement of state's consolidated funds.
- Reports significant increases in various fees and charges.
- Expresses concern over delayed payments in welfare schemes.
- Criticizes the government's handling of infrastructure issues.
Bengaluru, Feb 19 (NationPress) The BJP has asserted that the Karnataka government is facing challenges in meeting its payroll obligations. On Wednesday, the party urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to publish a white paper detailing the financial status of the state.
During a press conference held at the BJP's state headquarters, Karnataka BJP President B. Y. Vijayendra raised concerns over the proper utilization of the state's consolidated funds, questioning if they are being effectively managed or misappropriated.
He accused the Siddaramaiah administration of increasing various fees and charges, including a staggering 600 percent hike in property registration fees, a 30 percent rise in property guidance values, a 10 percent increase in vehicle registration fees, a 5 percent uptick in hospital service fees, a 14.5 percent surge in electricity rates, a 30 percent rise in water tariffs, and a 15 percent increase in milk prices to fund guarantee schemes.
Vijayendra expressed alarm over what he termed a 'dire financial state' in Karnataka, where the government is reportedly 'struggling' to fulfill salary payments and settle electricity bills.
Additionally, he noted the absence of any reference to the Yuva Nidhi scheme, which promised monthly support of Rs 3,000 for unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years.
He alleged that funds allocated for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are being redirected to support the guarantee schemes.
Labeling CM Siddaramaiah a 'master of lies', Vijayendra remarked that the state cannot even repair potholes in Bengaluru, yet it proposes to construct underground tunnels.
He remarked, 'They release funds for guarantees during Lok Sabha elections and again during by-elections. Now, there is a possibility of distributing money during district and taluk panchayat elections as well.'
Vijayendra highlighted that major cities like Chennai, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi have maintained stable metro fares, contrasting this with the fare hikes in Karnataka driven by the Congress government.
He also mentioned that payments under the Gruha Laxmi scheme, which provides Rs 2,000 monthly for women heads of below-poverty-line families, have faced delays of five to six months, and the promised 5 kilograms of free rice is not being delivered.
