Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai to present state budget on February 17

HUBBALLI: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said he will present the state budget for 2023-24 on February 17 in what will be his second and the last of the BJP government in its present term in the state.
Bommai has indicated that he will present a popular and full-scale budget. A series of preparatory meetings have already been conducted with officials of the finance and other department in this connection.
About the possibility of major announcements for North Karnataka, Bommai said, "Wait for the budget."
The pre-election budget is expected to be peppered with popular schemes and projects that might boost BJP's prospects in the elections due in April-May, sources said. The focus is likely to be on subsidies for farmers and rural industries. Water projects are set to get some headline space in the financial document.
While the state has weathered the Covid-triggered financial storm, tax collections have exceeded the targets, giving some elbowroom for the government to flex its financial muscle to pack some people-friendly projects and exceed the size of the previous budget pegged at Rs 2.7 lakh crore.
Opposition leaders have expressed concern over the debt burden of the state, claiming the total debt could breach Rs 80,000 crore this time. About any plans to discuss a possible cabinet expansion during his Delhi visit, he said: "I'm attending a party meeting there."