Dr Mysi Patil 
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the first time presented a Rs 12,522 crore revenue deficit politically loaded guarantee oriented budget. Higher borrowings, increase in excise duties and setting bigger revenue targets for various departments is what Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah prescribed in his popular budget as his government tries to bankroll the Congress party’s five electoral promises, including its free electricity scheme at a cost of 52 thousand crores out of 3.27 lakh crore. This may be termed as a total welfare budget keeping in mind the coming Lok Sabha elections. He had a distinction of being an efficient finance minister as he used to present surplus budgets. This time he has deviated from this credit.
Taxes increased :
This is his first budget since his Congress government was voted to power in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah increased duty on all 18 slabs of Indian Made Liquor by 20 percent and on beer by 10 percent which is unliked by the younger generation.The state has also plans to revise guidance value — the minimum value of property decided by the government. This will also lead to an increase in stamp duty and registration taxes for home and property buyers, although the hike has not been explicitly mentioned.
These increases, which the government hopes will help more generate revenue, is significant especially in the light of the Congress government’s five guarantees — 200 units of free power (Gruha Jyothi), Rs 2,000 per month for women head of households (Gruha Lakshmi), free bus travel for women (Strree shakti), 10 kg rice/head to every economically backward home (Anna Bhagya) and financial assistance for unemployed graduates and diploma holders (Yuva Nidhi). Hence it can be described as a budget that has something for all sectors. As he himself has admitted that this budget doesn't have anything radically new. It is an exercise to strike a balance between welfare and development and to take steps to rejuvenate economy. But it has plenty of accusations and allegations for previous state BJP government as well as central government.
What for Bengluru Development?
45 thousand crores have been allotted for all-round development works surrounding Bengaluru of which 30 thousand crores goesto Namma Metro. Another 12 thousand crores will be spent for white topping of roads, high-density corridor, solid waste management, removal of encroachments on main drains etc. No concrete decision announced on long pending PRR project. White topping of roads hither to stopped has been brought back which is a main corruption generator scheme. It is dubbed as a white elephant for its extra ordinary cost.The main drawback of ' Brand Bengaluru ' remains unanswered as the combined budget of BBMP, BMTC, BWSSB, BESCOM and other utilities considered as comprehensive for city development. BMTC seems big winner as it gets more allotment along with all RTC's. However it can be seen as a vision less to transform Bengaluru into world class city.As many experts describes it lacks vision for infrastructure and job creation. The current allocation for Bengaluru seems to be inadequate to meet its needs.
Opposition criticised budget:
Opposition BJP without an Opposition Leader in the Assembly has strongly criticised this budget calling it as politically motivated and vision less. JDS has ridiculed as a propaganda to blame BJP instead of showcasing their future projects.
( Dr Mysi Patil is the State Correspondent)
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