Ballari: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has clarified that there is no proposal to increase state transport corporation bus fares. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Siddaramaiah addressed the opposition’s claims that bus fares would rise following the state government’s fuel price increase.
Defending the state government’s decision to raise fuel prices, Siddaramaiah explained the necessity of resource mobilization to fund the five guarantees implemented by the state government, which require Rs 60,000 crore annually.
“Don’t we need resources to fund the five guarantees? It requires Rs 60,000 crore every year, and resource mobilization is important,” he stated. He questioned whether BJP leaders would demand the cancellation of these guarantee programs.
Siddaramaiah criticized the Narendra Modi-led union government for increasing the central excise tax from Rs 9.48 to Rs 32.98. He also alleged that the union BJP government did not reduce the tax despite a sharp dip in international crude oil prices.
“Who is responsible for the steep hike in fuel prices? When Modi became prime minister for the first time, the price of petrol was Rs 72 per liter. Now it has reached Rs 102. Who is responsible for this?” he asked.
Siddaramaiah also mentioned that he would look into the matter of allowing mining in the Sandur taluka of the district. Additionally, he criticized previous BJP MPs for failing to address state issues and not raising their voices when the central government allegedly did injustice to the state in GST allocation.
