Price Rise, Muda Case May Rock Budget Session Beginning Today

This government has no intention of holding proper legislative sessions. Bengaluru alone needs 2-3 days of debate. They don't have funds for development... what will they even talk about BY VIJAYENDRA, Karnataka BJP president

- HT Correspondent

BENGALURU: The Karnataka budget session, beginning on Monday, is expected to be turbulent as the opposition plans to take up several issues such as recent fare hike, increase in milk prices and water tariffs.

The 15-day session will commence with Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot's address to the joint legislature, followed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's 16th budget presentation on March 7. The budget size is anticipated to be around ₹4 lakh crore, up from the previous fiscal's ₹3.71 lakh crore.

The BJP, in alliance with the JD(S), is expected to challenge the Congress-led government on multiple issues, including the rising cost of essential services. Recent fare hikes in state-run road transport corporation buses and the Bengaluru Metro, along with proposed increases in milk prices and water tariffs, are likely to be central points of attack.

The opposition also claims that the government's five guarantee schemes are imposing an excessive financial burden on the state, leading to increased taxation and fund diversions.

Law and order concerns are another expected flashpoint. Recent incidents, including tensions in Mysuru's Udayagiri and an alleged assault on a state-run bus conductor for not speaking Marathi in Belagavi, could fuel heated exchanges in the assembly. The opposition is also likely to raise questions about the Karnataka Lokayukta giving a clean chit to the chief minister and his wife in the alleged MUDA site allotment case.