Karnataka Congress MLAs Wear Flowers In Ear During Budget Presentation

Former Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders wear flowers in ear in Karnataka Assembly during the presentation of the budget for 2023-24 by the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, alleging that the Bommai led BJP government has cheated people of the state.

Bommai presented a 'revenue-surplus' budget for 2023-24 in the Assembly, which would be the last budget of the BJP government in the present term. Congress leaders alleged that the BJP government has cheated people by not fulfilling promises from the previous budget and the promises made in the party's manifesto in 2018.

He announced that a 'Shrama Shakthi' scheme will be launched to provide aid of Rs 500 per head per month to landless women farm labourers. Moreover, he announced free education in Government Pre-University and Government Degree Colleges which would benefit eight lakh students. The budget also proposes to raise the limit of interest-free short-term loan to farmers from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.  

The Chief Minister has also announced that a grand temple dedicated to Lord Ram will be constructed in Ramadevara Betta, located in the Ramanagara district. Additionally, a new program called 'Bhoo Siri' will be initiated to provide further financial aid to farmers holding 'Kisan Credit Cards'. This scheme will give an additional subsidy of Rs. 10,000 in the year, 2023-24, and help farmers purchase crucial supplies such as seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and other essential inputs during times of emergency.

The state would contribute Rs 2,500 and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) would give Rs 7,500. "This will benefit around 50 lakh farmers of the state," he said.

The CM had earlier stated that this would be a "pro-people" budget and that it will focus on programmes that would give more support to poor, weaker sections, farmers, working classes, women and youth, among others. The budget presented by Bommai, who also holds the Finance portfolio is likely to be aimed at pleasing all sections of the society, and the Chief Minister is also likely to highlight the achievements of the government, official sources said.

(With inputs from PTI)