CM Siddaramaiah Critiques Union Budget 2025: 'Karnataka Received Zero'

Mysuru, Feb 1 (NationPress) In a scathing assessment of the Union Budget 2025, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned it as disappointing and harmful to the state's well-being.

"None of the demands we put forth during the pre-Budget discussions were addressed. Karnataka, recognized as one of the highest tax-contributing states, received absolutely nothing in this Budget," he asserted.

While speaking at a press conference in Mysuru, CM Siddaramaiah criticized the central government for continually overlooking Karnataka's needs.

"In light of farmers' protests, the Budget completely ignored MSP (Minimum Support Price), which represents a significant betrayal to our agricultural community," he remarked.

Siddaramaiah further urged BJP and JD-S parliamentarians, as well as Union Ministers, to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Karnataka's exclusion.

"Every state, with the exception of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, was overlooked... despite the BJP-JD-S coalition, Karnataka remains marginalized," he stated.

He claimed that "the BJP is retaliating against states that oppose Manusmriti and support constitutional values."

"The rise in income tax exemption to Rs 12 lakh is being hailed, yet only 8.09 crore individuals filed income tax last year, which constitutes merely 6.64 percent of India's populace.

"Of these, 4.90 crore individuals paid no tax at all. The tax exemption increase benefits only a select few middle-class households, while 70 percent of the population living on Rs 100-150 daily gains nothing," stated the Karnataka CM.

He noted that India's total debt has escalated from Rs 202 lakh crore to Rs 205 lakh crore.

"In the Union Budget 2025-26, the total budget size is Rs 50,65,354 crore, with a loan amounting to Rs 15,68,936 crore, of which Rs 12,70,000 crore will be allocated for interest payments.

"Karnataka, again one of the highest tax-paying states, received nothing in this budget. Only Bihar and Andhra Pradesh benefited, while South Indian states were disregarded. The Union Government continues to dismiss Karnataka’s requests despite multiple appeals to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman," he asserted.

Siddaramaiah expressed concern that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is penalizing Karnataka for rejecting the BJP in the 2023 Assembly Elections. "Even 46 percent of Karnataka voters who backed the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections are now suffering," he added.

The veteran Congress leader lamented: "There are no funds allocated for Bengaluru infrastructure, nor is there any increase in the Central share for centrally sponsored schemes in this Budget.

"No aid for states impacted by natural calamities, no financial support for new railway initiatives or land acquisitions, and no national project status for Bhadra Upper Basin. The Kalasa-Banduri and Mekedatu projects continue to be overlooked."

Siddaramaiah emphasized that the demands for the conservation of the Western Ghats amounting to Rs 10,000 crore were ignored.

"The Kalyana Karnataka region was denied a special grant of Rs 5,000 crore. Development projects in Bengaluru, such as the Suburban Railway, Outer Ring Road, and Metro expansion, were not addressed," he concluded.

He further stated that "this is not a Budget aimed at advancing India; it is a Budget for diminishing India."

"The central government has overlooked the principles of our federal system. Apart from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, other states are not mentioned in the budget, and no projects have been announced for them," he remarked.