Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 6: Chief minister Siddaramaiah, holding the finance portfolio, is all set to create history on Friday by presenting his record 17th state budget. While the CM is expected to introduce new welfare programmes for women, farmers, and labourers, there is significant apprehension regarding the potential imposition of fresh levies to fund the government’s ambitious 'guarantee' schemes.
The budget speech is scheduled to commence at 10:15 am in the Legislative Assembly. Having presented his first budget in 1994-95 under the HD Deve Gowda government, this 2026-27 edition marks the fourth budget of his current term and is viewed as a critical political tool to consolidate his leadership.
With the 2025-26 budget outlay standing at Rs 4.09 lac crore, experts predict a possible downward revision due to revenue shortfalls. The primary challenge for the CM remains the funding of the five 'guarantee' schemes while simultaneously allocating resources for infrastructure projects demanded by legislators.
To bridge the fiscal gap, the government may explore hiking sales tax on fuel, motor vehicle taxes, and stamp duties. Higher revenue targets for the excise and commercial taxes departments are also anticipated. Sources suggest the CM will likely reiterate his stance against the union government, alleging 'injustice' in tax devolution and the non-sharing of cesses and surcharges.
Leader of the opposition R Ashoka has lashed out at the government’s fiscal management, dubbing the CM 'Debt-ramaiah'. Ashoka claimed that the state’s debt is projected to exceed Rs 8 lac crore by the end of this term, accusing the administration of breaching fiscal discipline.
"Borrowing to run a government does not require expertise. A clever finance minister should create revenue without burdening the common man," Ashoka remarked, alleging that the CM has already imposed numerous taxes on citizens. He predicted that the budget would primarily focus on criticizing the prime minister and highlighting the guarantees.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the department of information and public relations (DIPR) has arranged for the live telecast of the budget presentation across 230 bus stands in Karnataka. Digital screens will broadcast the speech and the subsequent press conference to the public.
DIPR commissioner Hemant Nimbalkar stated that this move aims to bring the record-breaking 17th budget presentation directly to the citizens in real-time.
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