Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that a country is secure only if the states are secure, adding that the Centre should not try to weaken the states.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday took jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party for its participation in the country's freedom struggle and said that it is the members of Congress who are true nationalists, as the BJP and Jan Sangh never took part in the independence movement.
Taking a veiled swipe at the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the principles of secularism, equality, and fraternity are the cornerstones of the Constitution.
In his budget presentation, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a slew of initiatives aimed at improving land record management, providing drought relief, and streamlining the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.
"The CM has shown his commitment to the welfare of one and all by formulating a different scheme for the departments of Social Welfare, Backward Classes and Minorities Women and Child Welfare and Labour and providing more funds," said Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Demonstrating a concerted effort to uplift these communities, Rs 27,674 crore is earmarked for the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Rs 11,448 crore for the Scheduled Tribes Sub-Plan, of the proposed amount.
Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs held a protest at Vidhan Sabha over the Karnataka budget 2024. BJP MLAs walked out of the state Assembly during the budget presentation.
Addressing the legislature, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted the inclusive nature of the budget, which includes the preamble for the first time.
Siddaramaih declared that Basavanna's portrait will be unveiled in all government offices across the state on February 17, a decision is seen as Congress's attempt to woo the Lingayat community in Karnataka ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.