The Karnataka government has criticized the Union Budget for 2026-27, calling it unfocused, lacking direction and offering little for the state or the southern region.
CM Siddaramaiah’s statement reiterated a long-standing regional complaint that Karnataka has yet again been handed a “Chambu”, a colloquial term that refers to empty-handed. (PTI file photo)A statement issued after the presentation of the budget said, Siddaramaiah describing it as the 13th budget of a government that appears “tired” and “confused” and saying it relies on statements rather than clear development measures. The goal of Dr Vixit India Remains rhetorical, with no concrete plan outlined.
“The central budget has not gone above the budget level of big city corporations,” the statement said, calling it the “most disappointing budget”. It added that the document was filled with “tired words” and showed no clarity on the direction of the country’s development.
The statement reiterated a long-standing regional complaint that Karnataka has yet again been handed a “chumbu”, a colloquial term that refers to leaving empty-handed. “Karnataka Got nothing as usual they gave a charm. Not just Karnataka, the entire South India got nothing,” he said.
Budget proposes high-speed rail link between Bangalore and Hyderabad Chennai Karnataka was described as offering “limited facilities” as most of the route length lies outside the state. Corridors like Bengaluru-Mumbai or Bengaluru-Mangalore would have been more useful, the statement said. It also noted that there was no mention of Bengaluru Metro or suburban rail.
More Read
He said, there is no mention of irrigation projects in the state. “We wanted high standards and Your Krishna The projects will be declared as national projects.” The Chief Minister also attacked the Center for the delay in clearance of river water projects like Makedatu and Mahadayi.
The statement also raised concerns about federal funding, referring to the 16th Finance Commission. It said Karnataka contributes 8.7% to the national GDP and ranks first per capita Tax collection But continued to get less allocations.
The government has said that the overall budget has increased by about 5.56 percent ₹53.47 lakh crore, the allocation to various sectors has decreased.
More Read
Funds fall from the Department of Defense, Air Force Base ₹72,780 crore from Rs ₹63,734 crore and has been excluded from the National Security Technology Fund ₹31,631 crore to Rs ₹9,800 crore, according to the statement. Urea subsidy in agriculture sector was reduced from 2009 ₹1.26 lakh crore to Rs ₹1.16 lakh crore. “There is no priority for farmers and the rural economy,” Siddaramaiah said. Allocations for India AI Mission cut ₹2,000 crore to Rs ₹1,000 crores.
For disaster relief under the State Disaster Response Fund for 2026-31, it said Maharashtra was assigned ₹31,597 crore and Uttar Pradesh ₹16,342 crore, Karnataka received ₹5,135 crore. In grants from local bodies for five years, Karnataka has received ₹37,372 crore compared to Rs ₹1.16 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh and Rs ₹79,620 crore for Maharashtra.
