Karnataka budget session starts tomorrow; MUDA scam clean chit to Siddaramaiah and metro fare hike on BJP agenda

BJP MLC N Ravikumar told indianexpress.com that among the key issues the party would raise during the session is the clean chit given by the Lokayukta to Siddaramaiah in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.

“The guarantees that helped the Congress win the election are also not being implemented correctly. The BJP will take this up in both houses of the legislature,” he added.

Another issue that the BJP has latched onto recently is the diversion of funds allocated under the Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub Plan to finance the guarantee schemes, even as the government has said that this was done as per provisions of existing laws.

The recent hike in metro fares, which increased public transportation costs in Bengaluru, will also be raised, Ravikumar said, adding that the revision had added to the people’s inflation burden. “Not only metro, there was a hike in bus fares and various services offered by the government,” he said.

Yet another issue that will be in focus is how the Legislative Council will resolve the spat between Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and BJP MLC C T Ravi. Ravi’s alleged use of derogatory words against the minister had caused pandemonium during the winter session of the legislature held at Belagavi, resulting in his arrest.

The session will see the introduction of key legislation, including the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill and the amendments introduced to various Acts to curb the menace of microfinance institutions levying high interest rates.