Ruckus in Karnataka assembly over CM’s budget allocation for minorities outside House

Belagavi (K’taka), Dec 6: The Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a ruckus, as the opposition BJP accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of compromising the sanctity of the House, saying he announced Rs 10,000 crore for minorities at a Muslim community event recently, when the session is ongoing.
Alleging that the government which is unable to provide drought relief to farmers is announcing Rs 10,000 crore for minorities without bringing it to the notice of the assembly, the BJP demanded that the Chief Minister withdraw his statement and apologise to the House.
However, ruling party members, defending the CM, said that Siddaramaiah has only stated that he intends to increase the budget for the minorities department every year, and ultimately the intention is to spend Rs 10,000 crore through the department, and that the BJP was objecting as they are opposed to giving funds to minorities.
On December 4, addressing the Aulad-e-Ghous-e-Azam convention at Hubballi, Siddaramaiah had said, “I want to say that this year we have given Rs 4,000 crore to the minorities department (in the annual budget), and we will work to increase it every year. Ultimately our intention is to spend Rs 10,000 crore through the minorities department.”
Raising the issue in the assembly, BJP MLA Sunil Kumar said, “It is a convention that has been followed in this House not to announce any government programmes outside when the assembly is in session, but the chief minister at a Muslim community event in Hubballi has announced Rs 10,000 crore. When the House is in session, as the member of the House we have a right to know.”
He accused the chief minister of compromising the sanctity of the House and said he must apologise. Several members of the ruling Congress including ministers like Priyank Kharge tried to defend the chief minister and said there was nothing wrong with what he said, adding that ultimately the matter has to come to the House, and every rupee spent has to be approved by the assembly.
This led to arguments between the ruling and opposition benches, despite Speaker U T Khader trying to shut it down stating that, “Let the chief minister come to the House and let him clarify. Until then, let’s go on with the further proceedings.”
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka (BJP) said, “We too have worked as ministers and have never announced any government programmes (outside the house) while in session, so I too had a doubt whether the chief minister who has experience of announcing (presenting) 14 budgets has made such a statement. But I myself saw it on a news channel – CM stating that he will give Rs 10,000 crore in this budget.”
“A farmer named Shivappa has committed suicide. You don’t pay compensation to him and farmers, but you announce Rs 10,000 crore there… Don’t forget farmers, their curse will not let you be in power even for a minute,” he said, as he urged the CM to withdraw his statement. (PTI)