Sat Feb 01 19:00:19 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Chief Minister Criticizes Union Budget’s Devolution to State

**Bengaluru, February 2, 2025** – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed strong dissatisfaction with the 2025-26 Union Budget, criticizing the relatively low devolution of funds allocated to the state. While Karnataka received ₹51,876 crore, a marginal increase from the previous fiscal’s ₹46,932.72 crore, the Chief Minister argued this figure is far below expectations for a state that ranks second nationally in tax contribution.

In a press conference in Mysuru, Mr. Siddaramaiah highlighted that states like Uttar Pradesh (₹2.55 lakh crore) and Bihar (₹1.43 lakh crore) received significantly larger allocations. He further stated that several key demands put forth by the state were ignored by the central government. He alleged that the budget prioritizes Bihar and Andhra Pradesh due to the BJP’s political considerations, marking the second consecutive year of such focus.

The budget offered limited benefits to Bengaluru, allocating only ₹350 crore for the suburban rail project and additional funding for metro projects. Mr. Siddaramaiah’s criticism underscores the growing tension between the state and the central government over budgetary allocations.

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