Union Budget 2025 reaction | ‘Chombu’ for Karnataka again: Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Union Budget presented by the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has continued to give ‘Chombu’ (empty pot) for Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he said, “The BJP and JD(S) MPs and Ministers, including H D Kumaraswamy, V Sommanna and Shobha Karandlaje from Karnataka, have done injustice to the state by not seeking any funds from the Centre. The people, who have elected them, should ask them about it.”

“They have not even discussed the state’s needs with us. But we have told them and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman about the funds the state should be getting. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is taking revenge against Karnataka for defeating the BJP in the Legislative Assembly election,” he charged.

He said that injustice is done to all states, except Bihar, where there is their coalition partner and polls are coming up and Andhra Pradesh where the ruling party has extended support to the Union government.

Siddaramaiah said that the Budget is disappointing and lacks vision.

“It is not pro-poor, farmers, women or workers, but favourable for corporates. The Centre is trying to fill their stomach, with just empty words,” he said.

“The Centre has failed to legislate Minimum Support Price for farm crops. Despite Karnataka’s appeal, It has not increased the honorarium to Asha and Anganwadi workers. It has allotted just Rs 100 crore for ‘Make in India’. It has reduced funds under MNREGA from Rs 89,154 crore to Rs 8,600 crore,” he criticised.

He said, “I did not have any hope. But in the interest of Karnataka, we continue to request the finance minister, 16th Finance Commission and others, for funds. I had expected an AIIMS for Raichur. The Central Ministers had also assured about it.”

“They have not given any funds for irrigation. They have not allotted any funds for the Upper Bhadra, Mahadayi, Kalasa Banduri, Mekedatu and Krishna projects. We had asked for funds for basic infrastructure, especially for the maintenance of stormwater drains in Bengaluru. They have not fulfilled any of Karnataka’s demands, presented in the Pre-budget meeting,” he charged.

The chief minister noted that, out of the Rs 50,65,345-crore budget, Rs 15,68,936 crore is loan. The loan amount has increased from Rs 202 lakh crore to

Rs 205 lakh crore. Rs 12.7 lakh crore will be spent on interest. The tax collected has been reduced by Rs 1,04,000 crore. Karnataka gives the second highest tax. Yet, they have done injustice to the state, he said.

‘No talks on CM change’

Siddaramaiah said that there is no discussion on changing the chief minister.

“The BJP leaders are scared of me and hence, they target me and create rumours. Yet, the Congress won all three Legislative Assembly seats in the by-election, including two places represented by former chief ministers,” he said.

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Union Budget 2025 | Nirmala Sitharaman, as Finance Minister, presented her record 8th Union Budget this time. While inflation has burnt a hole in the pockets of 'aam janata', the Modi govt gave income tax relief for those making up to Rs 12 lakh per year in salaried income. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analysis only on Deccan Herald. Also follow us on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.