Budget in February, announces CM

'Cong leadership to finalise poll candidates by Jan-end'

Davangere: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Saturday that the state budget would be presented in February.

He was speaking to reporters at Channagiri in the district. The chief minister said it was natural for the budget to be termed an election budget, as the polls are scheduled in April or May.

Siddaramaiah said no major changes had been made to the KPME bill. The chief minister said doctors were under the impression that there was a provision to jail them for medical negligence. But there is no such thing in the bill, he said.
He said the government would consider providing compensation to the families of patients who died due to non-availability of treatment in private hospitals during the doctors' strike, if the families come forward and lodge a complaint.

Speaking on the sidelines of a programme at Channagiri, Siddaramaiah said the Congress leadership would finalise the party candidates for the elections by January-end.

The chief minister said, "The BJP is facing problems in finding right candidates for the elections. Several BJP leaders have expressed their keenness to join the Congress. Many of them are in touch with me."

Siddaramaiah said he would quit politics if corruption charges made against him during his four-and-a-half year rule were proven.

He said, "The doctors have given their consent for the implementation of the universal health scheme. The government will fix the rates for the procedures conducted under the scheme."

On the World Kannada convention, the chief minister said, "The convention was planned in Davangere in December. Since the All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana is being organised in Mysuru in November last week, the world Kannada convention will be delayed. A date will be fixed during the Sahitya Sammelana in Mysuru."

DH News Service