Karnataka CM Dismisses Fund Crunch After Adviser’s Welfare-vs-Roads Remark

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday rejected suggestions that the state is short of money for development projects, saying legislators “have sufficient funds” to pursue both infrastructure works and the Congress government’s flagship welfare programmes. Siddaramaiah’s assurance follows remarks by his economic adviser, Basavaraj Rayareddy, who told villagers that road construction could proceed if people were willing to forgo the administration’s guarantee schemes, such as free rice distributions. Rayareddy’s comments triggered criticism from the opposition BJP and prompted questions within the ruling party over the affordability of the guarantees unveiled after the 2023 election. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara distanced himself from the adviser’s statement, while Siddaramaiah insisted the remarks were taken out of context and that his government remains committed to simultaneously honouring its welfare pledges and financing development. The chief minister said there was “no question” of scaling back the guarantees, underscoring that both social support and infrastructure are budgeted priorities.