Karnataka budget: BJP seeks special grant of Rs 15,000 crore for Bengaluru's development

A delegation of BJP legislators from Bengaluru that met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his official residence on Friday sought allocation of special grants of Rs 15,000 crore for the comprehensive development of Bengaluru and another Rs 150 crore to each of the Assembly constituencies in the state capital in the upcoming state Budget. Siddaramaiah, who is also the finance minister, will be tabling his 16th state budget on March 7. 

“Bengaluru contributes 60% of the state's revenue as taxes. But the funds available for its development do not match its fast-paced development. The Congress government has not released any development funds to the constituencies barring the Rs 10 crore released three months back, which is seriously inadequate. Dearth of funds has caused immense difficulties to the legislators as they are unable to meet the expectations of their electorate. The previous BJP had released funds to each of the constituencies without any discrimination. We urge you to give funds especially to first-time legislators,” said the memorandum submitted to the CM by the delegation of 16 BJP MLAs and MLCs and MPs led by state party chief B.Y. Vijayendra and LOP R Ashok.

The BJP leaders claimed that poor quality and potholed roads were aggravating the traffic hassles, especially on the Bellary road that leads to the Bengaluru International Airport. The poor condition of the roads is causing accidents and tarnishing the image of the IT city, said the BJP leaders urging the chief minister to prioritise developing alternative roads (Begur and Bagalur) to reach the airport.  

“The Brand Bengaluru initiative of the Congress government will take off only when with a comprehensive development plan for the city. The BJP, with its 16 city legislators and three Parliamentarians, will extend all support to the government to help build Bengaluru,” said Vijayendra. 

Highlighting the slow-paced development works in the city for want of funds, Vijayendra said the state government should not postpone the long pending BBMP polls on the pretext of passing the Greater Bangalore Governance bill.

“Bengaluru had never faced such a pitiable condition. We do not need the expensive tunnel road project. The previous BJP government had provided Rs 100 crore to Siddaramaiah every year for the development of his constituency. We want him to be impartial and provide at least Rs 120 crore to each constituency. The price hike and lack of development is taking a toll on the city and the citizens,” reminded Ashok.

The BJP appealed to the chief minister to reduce the Metro fare by constituting a new Fare Fixation Committee to revise the fares scientifically. "Our Bengaluru MPs Tejasvi Surya and PC Mohan have given several suggestions to reduce the Metro fare and we hope the chief minister will consider them," said Vijayendra.