Govt. doesn't need lessons from BSY says Siddaramaiah

The Karnataka government does not need lessons in financial management from State BJP President B S Yeddyurappa, said Chief Minister Siddararamaiah.  

Speaking at the Sadhaneya Samavesha in Honnalli, Davanagere, on Monday, the CM said Yeddyurappa was talking without having complete information about the state's financial condition.  

Siddaramaiah said that the Congress had enacted the Fiscal Responsibility Act in 2012 according to which, financial management guidelines had been laid down for the government to follow.  

"In order to maintain fiscal health, it is required to maintain higher income levels, GDP over 25 percent and a budget deficit no greater than three percent," Siddaramaiah said adding, "Yeddyurappa has not studied all this".  

"The fiscal health of the state is good. Former Prime Minister and noted economist Manmohan Singh who visited the state two months ago said that Karnataka is in the number one spot in the country. We don't need a certificate from Yeddyruppa," the CM taunted.    

Siddaramaiah said the main objective of the budget was to ensure equality and similar  benefits for all classes of people.

"There can't be a dalit budget, backward class budget, youth budget etc.," he pointed out.  

Taking a dig at the former chief minister, Siddaraimaiah said,"Yeddyurappa covered himself with a green shawl while presenting the budget, but never did much for farmers. He ordered police to shoot at farmers who were protesting for manure".