Govt in debt to even beggars, says Ashoka

Bengaluru: Opposition leader R Ashoka Tuesday attacked Karnataka' budget for 2026–27, alleging financial mismanagement by the govt and claiming it was "in debt even to beggars." Ashoka claimed the govt collects 3% cess meant to be transferred to the Central Relief Committee (CRC) for welfare of beggars but the govt had allegedly failed to hand over Rs 23.4 crore to CRC. "In that sense, the govt is in debt to beggars' colony," he said. He alleged the govt had stopped paying monthly pensions of Rs 4,000 a month to orphaned children. He said more than 26,000 children lost their parents to Covid-19, accidents, murders and for other reasons, but monthly payments were halted seven months ago. "There is over Rs 73 crore dues to orphans. What is the use of giving Rs 2,000 to women by stopping payments to orphaned children?" he asked. He also alleged several projects announced in last year's budget had not been implemented. He accused the govt of diverting funds meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) to finance its guarantee schemes. He said large portions of funds earmarked for Dalit welfare was diverted for other schemes over the past four years. He said Rs 14,198 crore was diverted in the current financial year alone from SCSP and TSP allocations. "If money meant for Dalits is looted, can that be called social justice?" he asked. Responding later, Siddaramaiah credited former PM HD Deve Gowda for his record of presenting 17 state budgets, saying he became finance minister in 1994 at Gowda's insistence. Responding to Ashoka's jibes, Siddaramaiah said he had sought the revenue portfolio then, but it went to RL Jalappa. Gowda then asked him to take the finance portfolio despite his reluctance. Ashoka had recalled criticism of Siddaramaiah at the time, saying some had questioned how a "shepherd who could not count sheep" would present a budget. Siddaramaiah is from the shepherds' community.