JDS-Cong govt 'directionless', says BJP in the assembly

The BJP today sought to corner the H D Kumaraswamy government on an array of issues in the state assembly, accusing it of being "directionless" and "compromising" the state's finances.

Participating in the discussion on budget, senior party member Basavaraj Bommai targeted the government on financial management and cautioned it about certain populist schemes putting the state under debt burden.

He said the state was on the brink of revenue deficit and the Chief Minister, who holds the finance portfolio, had just tried to make "adjustments" in the budget.

"..You have also compromised the finance of the state," he alleged while pointing out that the state's fiscal deficit had grown and was about to reach three per cent.

 

He said the government might have to borrowfor repaying debt. About 9.7 per cent of the revenue was being used to repay debt in the form of interest, he claimed.

"There will be no money for capital expenditure at thisrate to fulfil various needs of the state," Bommai said, adding, when there was no revenue surplus, loans would have to be raised.

"If you don't do away with certain schemes that are not feasible and by announcing populist schemes you are putting the state under burden of debt," he said, as he stressed the need for resetting priorities.

Bommai said the government would have to go in sfor loans to implement the Rs 34,000 crore farm loan waiver scheme announced in the budget.

The government would have to answer the basic question as to how it would be able to mobilise Rs 34,000 crore.

Opposition deputy Leader Govinda Karajola said the Congress-JD(S) dispensation was "directionless" and it looked like a situation where a visually challenged man and a lame person were trying to walk, depending on each another.

Citing various pre-poll promises that found no mention in the budget, he said "people are looking at Kumaranna (Kumaraswamy), if you don't fulfil promise, you will do injustice to them."

Suggesting that the government decentralise the power department, Karajola urged it to earmark Rs 50,000 crore to Upper Krishna third stage irrigation project.

Making a short intervention, leader of the opposition B S Yeddyurappa too urged the government to increase spending onirrigation projects, assuring BJP's support to it.