Bengaluru, Dec 25 (NationPress) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday made alarming accusations against the Karnataka government, claiming it engages in extortion disguised as the issuance of liquor shop licences to generate funds for its guarantee schemes and replenish a depleted state treasury.

Addressing the media after paying respects at the memorial of the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa in Davangere, Kumaraswamy stated that the state government has set the licence fee for a single liquor shop at a staggering Rs 1.95 crore.

"Is this not just robbery? The government itself promotes rampant alcohol consumption by directing people towards drinking. In the same vein, it is robbing every department," he charged.

He accused the state administration of misappropriating funds and grants allocated for various initiatives, including the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP).

"The state treasury is being thoroughly ravaged. Extracting funds through liquor shop auctions is the state government's so-called New Year gift to the citizens," he remarked with sarcasm.

Kumaraswamy also raised concerns about the promised Rs 5,000 crore that was supposed to be deposited into women's bank accounts as part of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, criticizing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah—who also holds the Finance portfolio—for failing to clarify the situation to the public.

"The Chief Minister himself claims to be oblivious. Even with record budget presentations, he does not seem to know what is occurring in his own department or where the funds have vanished. Such an 'economic expert,' who prides himself on presenting the most budgets, is unparalleled in the world," Kumaraswamy commented.

He further asserted that development in the state has reached a dire low.

"For two and a half years, the government has been operating under the guise of guarantees. The state of the roads mirrors the administration's condition. Both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have squandered time in power-sharing disputes. The public will not forget this," the Union Minister declared.

Earlier, he visited the memorial of former Congress minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who recently passed away, to pay his respects.

He subsequently visited Shivashankarappa's home, met his son, Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, and extended condolences, with family members present during the visit.

Accompanying the Union Minister were former minister S.A. Mahesh, Legislative Council member S.L. Bhojegowda, former MLC H.M. Ramesh Gowda, and others.