Siddu’s 14th budget likely to focus on poll guarantees

In the last one week, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has repeatedly uttered the words ‘Kayaka means production and Dasoha means distribution’.

It is no coincidence that Basavanna’s principles of Kayaka and Dasoha are used frequently by the Chief Minister, who has been holding non-stop meetings with the Finance Department, ahead of the presentation of his 14th Budget.

From the first budget presented by Siddaramaiah as Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister in 1995-96 to the last budget presented in his previous term for 2018-19, the influence of Basavanna, Dr B.R Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Devaraja Urs can be clearly seen and documented in all 13 budgets.

In the seven Siddaramaiah budgets presented from 1995-96, socialist aspirations, thoughts and concerns were significantly present. In the six budgets from 2013-14 to 2018-19, there is a clear tilt to the principles and ideals of the Ahinda movement which the CM led.

Allocation of funds to the Ahinda and Dalit communities which constitute 85% of the total population, is testimony to Basavanna’s ideal of equal share for all.

( Sarvarigu Samapaalu) In the 14th budget which is considered the most challenging one, the CM is expected to dole it out big for the implementaion of the five guarantees to provide relief to all classes of people.

Siddaramaiah equalled Ramakrishna Hegde’s record by presenting the 13th budget in February 2018. He also also made sure that the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act 1991 and provisions of the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act 2002 are not violated and financial discipline is maintained.

The size of the first budg et presented by Siddaramaiah was Rs 12,616 crore while the size of the 13th budget was Rs 2,09,181 crore. There are reports that the size of the 14th budget could be 3,35,000 crores.

The big question is how Siddaramaiah will fulfill his social concerns and implement the poll guarantees in a profit oriented age when corporate economics rules the roost and socialist policies and pro- people concerns are being pushed to the background.