CM Siddaramaiah begins meetings with Congress MLAs on constituency grants

After promising each one of them Rs 50 crore for constituency development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday commenced district-wise meetings with Congress MLAs. 

Each Congress MLA will get Rs 50 crore under the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Programme (CMIDP). Constituencies represented by BJP and JD(S) MLAs may get Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore, it is said. 

Siddaramaiah met MLAs from Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Tumakuru, Kodagu, Hassan and Dakshina Kannada districts. Ministers in charge of these districts also attended the meeting. 

“We primarily discussed the Rs 50-crore grant,” Home Minister G Parameshwara said. “MLAs from our district (Tumakuru) have no differences among themselves. All have been asked to work with unity,” he added. 

Siddaramaiah took stock of developmental works, agricultural activities and expenditure incurred so far in the districts. The CM also sought information from MLAs on works that have been taken up under the local area development funds and projects that are needed going forward. 

‘Guarantee’ impact

Apparently, Siddaramaiah discussed with MLAs the economic impact the ‘guarantee’ schemes have had in the districts. “The government has provided works worth Rs 1,000 crore in every constituency. It is the responsibility of MLAs to ensure the benefits of those works reach citizens,” he said. 

In his 2025-26 Budget, Siddaramaiah said the CMIDP would be launched with Rs 8,000 crore. According to budget documents, the government has provisioned Rs 3,000 crore this fiscal: Rs 1,500 crore for the public works department, Rs 900 crore for the rural development department and Rs 600 crore for the urban development department.

The government has given lawmakers the discretion to decide how 25% of funds under the CMIDP should be spent.

Cut-off box - Will meet B’luru MLAs separately says DKS
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar rubbished speculation over being “left out” of Siddaramaiah’s meeting with MLAs. “Calling MLAs’ meeting is well within the CM’s prerogative. What’s wrong with it? I’ve no problem. Why is it troubling the media?” he said.
“Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala who met MLAs has provided his feedback to the CM. The meeting CM is holding now is regarding that” Shivakumar said. 
The DCM said he’d hold a separate meeting with MLAs from Bengaluru. “We have a different agenda for the city” he said.