Union Budget 2025 | 'Are we here to eat peanuts?': Karnataka minister slams Budget

Bengaluru: Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda hammered the Union Budget 2025-26 as "a black chapter" for Karnataka, adding that citizens of the state were "reduced to slaves". 

Gowda said not a single demand made by Karnataka was considered in the Union Budget. 

"Karnataka's tax money is going to other states. Bihar alone has got 5-6 programmes. Are we, in Karnataka, here to eat just peanuts? We should pay tax and get only chombu (empty mug)," Gowda said, describing it as "the BJP's betrayal".

Gowda said the Modi administration is silent on the 15th Finance Commission's recommendation that Karnataka should get Rs 11,495 crore as special grants. "For the Upper Bhadra Project, we should've got Rs 5,300 crore. Not a single rupee has been given to Kalyana Karnataka. Bengaluru, which provides jobs for the entire country, has got nothing," he said. 

"People of Karnataka must sweat and pay taxes. But the union government sees only Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The people of Karnataka have been reduced to slaves. Our hard work is benefitting others," Gowda 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.