Congress govt has plunged state into a debt trap, says B Y Vijayendra

Vijayendra sought to remind the Congress government that state’s liabilities had crossed Rs 8 lakh crore, with a sum of Rs 48,000 crore being expended annually on paying interest.

Bengaluru: After Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra’s demand for a ‘white paper’ on the state’s finances, the latter on Wednesday reiterated his claim that the Congress government had plunged the state into a ‘debt trap’. 

Alleging that Vijayendra’s demand for a white paper was politically motivated, the CM said that the Budget in itself served as a white paper, one that had been debated upon and subsequently approved in the legislature. Sounding an optimistic note on the state’s economy, Siddaramaiah pointed to Karnataka’s GSDP outpacing the national average, besides drawing attention to increased budget growth and controlled fiscal deficit. 

Vijayendra, however, sought to remind the Congress government that state’s liabilities had crossed Rs 8 lakh crore, with a sum of Rs 48,000 crore being expended annually on paying interest.

The delay in disbursal of pensions and gaps in delivery of benefits of welfare schemes attested to the state’s dire economic situation, said the Karnataka BJP chief. He also chided the CM for not knowing the difference between a white paper and the budget.  

The state had seen ‘zero’ development despite its debt rising, argued Vijayendra, besides accusing the Congress of diverting funds meant for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and backward classes towards its guarantee schemes, he charged.

“More than 2.85 lakh government posts are lying unfilled, which is impacting the delivery of services. Lack of hostel facilities, and delay in disbursal of scholarships is affecting students, while payment of salaries to part-time lecturers too is a matter of concern. Pending compensation for irrigation projects has left farmers aggrieved, while government is shoring up revenue by expanding liquor outlets,” said Vijayendra.