Bengaluru, Sep 24 Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Thursday alleged that a Finance Department letter warning about the state’s financial situation reflected the “serious” fiscal condition of the government and accused Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of “misleading” people on the issue.
Speaking to reporters, he said the state Finance Department’s communication was not a routine letter but a serious document reflecting the financial realities facing Karnataka.
“The state has never witnessed such a poor financial situation. The government is struggling to pay salaries to its employees and is unable to properly disburse pensions to the poor and persons with disabilities,” Vijayendra alleged.
He claimed that pending payments to various departments, outstanding amounts under schemes and other government liabilities were increasing every day, calling it not merely an administrative failure but a “serious warning” about the state’s financial management.
The BJP chief was referring to the Finance Department recently cautioning the government against taking up projects involving big expenditure at this stage, citing constraints on the state’s fiscal space and the need to adopt a “realistic and prudent” approach to funding new projects.
The Finance Department made these observations while examining the proposal for the Chief Minister’s Rural Road Connectivity Scheme, estimated to cost Rs 10,000 crore.
Vijayendra pointed out that there have been constant allegations that the financial burden of the Congress government’s guarantee schemes was affecting allocations for development projects, farmers and other priority sectors.
He also claimed that chief ministers of other Congress-ruled states had spoken about financial pressure arising from guarantee schemes.
In Karnataka, he said, the managing director of the state transport corporation had written to the government seeking release of pending dues under the Shakti scheme, which, according to him, reflected the government’s financial position.
Vijayendra questioned the government’s priorities, saying Shivakumar was enthusiastic about developing an airport near Kanakapura and about tunnel road projects but did not show the same urgency in addressing farmers’ problems.
Compensation for crop losses, assistance to farmers facing debt pressure, drought relief and protection of livestock should be the government’s immediate priorities, he said.
The state government should not evade its responsibility by waiting for assistance from the Centre, he added.
The BJP leader said the very need to convene a special session had made the government’s situation clear to the people.
Instead of addressing drought, farmer suicides, financial constraints and pending scheme payments, the government was spending its time on political statements, he alleged.
Vijayendra recalled that when B S Yediyurappa was chief minister, the state government had announced immediate relief during natural calamities without waiting for central assistance.
He also referred to measures taken by the Maharashtra government for farmers and urged Karnataka to respond similarly during the present crisis.
Vijayendra alleged that the government was attempting to acquire farmers’ land in Shiralakoppa in Shikaripura taluk in the name of a ring road and highlighted protests by farmers in Bidadi against acquisition of their land.
“Development projects should not involve forcibly taking farmers’ land,” he said, adding that the government should consult affected farmers and protect their interests.
Pointing out several taluks are being declared drought-hit, the BJP chief said merely issuing such a notification would not resolve farmers’ problems.
“The government should immediately release its share of relief funds, conduct a scientific assessment of crop losses and implement measures for crop compensation, livestock assistance, drinking water, employment and relief related to loan repayment,” he said.
Writing to the Centre seeking drought relief was not enough and the state government should not shirk its responsibility, Vijayendra further said.
Seeking drought relief from the Centre was a separate matter, but the state government should immediately begin assisting farmers with its own resources, he said, adding that, “Today, farmers need relief, not speeches; money, not assurances; and implementation, not announcements.”
Vijayendra demanded guarantees for farmers’ livelihoods, relief from farm debt and compensation for crop losses, besides support for families affected by drought.
“The people’s lives should be the state’s treasury’s real priority,” he said.
(PTI News)
