Bengaluru, March 7 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday conveyed a definitive message to uphold the guarantees despite criticisms from the opposition and certain party factions, asserting that these guarantees are not mere freebies; instead, they are strategic investments focused on economic and social issues.

This statement was made during the presentation of the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 at the Legislative Assembly, marking CM Siddaramaiah's 16th budget, the highest by any leader in the state.

Before diving into the budget details, CM Siddaramaiah sought the Speaker U.T. Khader's permission to sit and read the budget after his opening remarks. He began the presentation with verses from poets Kuvempu and Gopalakrishna Adiga.

He expressed, “I am honored to present the budget for the year 2025-26 before this Assembly. This budget transcends the mere act of adding and subtracting figures. I stand here aware of the immense responsibility I hold in fulfilling the promises made to the seven crore residents of our state, nurturing the aspirations for a brighter future.”

“This budget reinforces our commitment to realizing the dreams of every citizen in Karnataka, fostering hopes for what lies ahead, and fulfilling our promise to ‘Walk the Talk’. It reflects Mahatma Gandhi's vision, which advocates that the welfare of all can be achieved through a sustainable and equitable economy, highlighting the government's dedication to social and economic equality,” stated CM Siddaramaiah.

He further commented that the idea of “Survival of the Fittest” is often labeled as 'Social Darwinism'. In direct contrast, Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar designed our Constitution to create a nation founded on the hope of an equitable society based on humanity. The dreams of philosophers like Buddha, Basavanna, Narayana Guru, and others are embedded in our Constitution. Inspired by their vision, we lead the state with unwavering dedication. Our government is committed to fortifying the principles of social justice,” he emphasized.

“It is the government's duty to ensure that available resources are within reach of everyone. By harmonizing economic growth with the welfare of the populace, we are crafting Karnataka's development framework through the concept of Universal Basic Income. Many welfare initiatives we provide, including the five guarantees, are not simply freebies; I assert that these are strategic investments grounded in economic and social principles,” he remarked.

“As Muzaffar Assadi, a distinguished scholar from our state, noted, 'the guarantee schemes are rooted in the hardships of the poor, the scourge of poverty, the struggles of women, and the vision of an unequal India,'” he stated.

CM Siddaramaiah added, “The initiatives from the Government of Karnataka serve as meaningful responses to numerous social and economic challenges highlighted by various international platforms. We have rolled out welfare programmes aimed at enhancing individuals' purchasing power. While advancing the state through women's empowerment remains one of our focal points, we are also taking substantial steps to mitigate environmental crises through a 'green economy'.”

“Our state is at the forefront of renewable energy, promoting eco-friendly industries, and actively recycling and purifying wastewater—a practice acknowledged by international forums. We prioritize education and health, with our residential schools and hostels offering quality education and meals to the largest number of students in the nation. We are dedicated to equipping the youth with global skills through the formulation and execution of innovative policies and plans,” he concluded.