Opposition Imitating Karnataka’s Successful Guarantee Schemes: Siddaramaiah
CM highlights economic growth and welfare achievements ahead of Sadhaneya Samavesha event in Hosapete.
Hosapete: Opposition parties that once criticised Karnataka’s guarantee schemes as financially unviable are now attempting to replicate them, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday. Speaking to reporters after inspecting preparations for the state government’s two-year achievement event — Sadhaneya Samavesha — scheduled to be held in Hosapete on May 20, the Chief Minister said the schemes have not only provided relief to people but also strengthened the state's economy.
“Today, Karnataka’s guarantee schemes have become a model for the entire country,” he stated, underscoring the success of the Congress government's flagship welfare programmes. “In the 2023 elections, we formed the government with a strong mandate. True to our word, we decided to implement all five guarantees in the very first cabinet meeting. While the opposition alleged it would bankrupt the state, the reality is quite the opposite. Today, the same schemes are being imitated by those who once mocked them,” Siddaramaiah said.
The CM pointed out that these schemes have strengthened the state’s economy and increased tax revenues. “As evidence, the size of the state budget has grown from Rs 3.71 lakh crore in 2024–25 to Rs 4.09 lakh crore in 2025–26 — an increase of Rs 38,000 crore in just one year,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said the budget is prepared based on the state’s actual revenue and tax collections, and such growth would not have been possible without a strong revenue base.
Responding to opposition claims that the guarantee schemes have hindered development work, the CM said, “Along with funding guarantees, we have continued development investments across sectors. Projects worth Rs 200 crore, Rs 300 crore, and even Rs 700 crore have been launched in various parts of the state. So far, we have spent more than Rs 90,000 crore on guarantees.”
He further added that despite opposition claims of insufficient funds for development, the government spent Rs 51,000 crore on asset creation in 2024–25 and plans to spend Rs 83,000 crore in 2025–26. An amount of Rs 50,018 crore has been earmarked for the guarantee schemes in the upcoming financial year.
“Additional funds, if needed, will also be allocated through supplementary budgets. This is a government that walks the talk,” Siddaramaiah asserted. The CM also underlined the government’s commitment to the development of the Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalyana Karnataka) region.
“In the previous budget, we allocated Rs 5,000 crore to the KKRDB, and the same amount has been earmarked this year. In contrast, the previous government had allocated just Rs 3,000 crore in its final year. Despite constitutional amendments under Article 371(J), the Centre has failed to release any funds for the region’s development — not even a rupee,” he said.
At the May 20 event in Hosapete, the Revenue Department will distribute property title deeds to over 1,03,000 beneficiaries. The programme is being organised to showcase the government’s work over the past two years. Attendees from across all districts of the state are expected, with an estimated turnout of over three lakh people.
The event will also see the participation of senior Congress leaders including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, cabinet ministers, and MLAs. “This is a government event, and even opposition leaders have been invited. It will be held with the coordination of officials from all departments,” he said.
