Daijiworld Media Network – Davanagere

Davanagere, Dec 26: Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah lashed out at State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa for commenting on the state’s financial condition without having complete information about it.

Speaking at the Sadhaneya Samavesha in Honnali near here on Monday December 26, he asserted that the fiscal health of the state is good. “Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is also a noted economist has said that Karnataka is in the number one spot. Hence, the state government does not need financial management lessons or a certificate from Yeddyurappa,” taunted Siddaramaiah.

“Congress had enacted the Fiscal Responsibility Act in 2012 according to which, financial management guidelines had been laid down for the government to follow. In order to maintain fiscal health, it is required to maintain higher income levels, GDP over 25 percent and a budget deficit no greater than three percent,” Siddaramaiah said.

“There cannot be separate budgets such as dalit budget, backward class budget, youth budget, as it would defeat the main objective of the budget that is to ensure equality and similar benefits for all classes of people,” CM said.

Siddaramaiah counter questioned Yeddyurappa on what he did for the farmers. Taking a dig he said that "Yeddyurappa covered himself with a green shawl while presenting the budget, but never did much for farmers. He ordered police to shoot at farmers who were protesting for manure,”