• Governor addresses joint sitting of State Legislature
• CM Siddaramaiah to present Budget on March 7

Bengaluru: The fortnight-long Budget Session of the State Legislature, this year’s first Legislature Session, began at the Vidhana Soudha here this morning, with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot addressing the joint sitting of the State Legislature.

Conventionally, the Governor’s address was drawn up by the Government, with a list of  achievements of the State Government.

Addressing the Session, the Governor said, “I am extremely delighted to have addressed the joint Session. My Government has speeded up development and has also been successful in further strengthening the State’s economy. My Government is committed for wiping out the tears of even the last man in the society, in keeping with Mahatma Gandhi’s words.”

“Several leaders had said that the State would lag behind in development due to the ambitious welfare schemes announced by the Government and the economy would sink further. But such remarks have been belied with the Government recording new highs in every sector. Even the Government revenue has increased and the State is witnessing a massive flow of private and international investments,” Gehlot said.

The Governor’s address today was much anticipated, especially since the Raj Bhavan and the State Government have been at odds ever since Gehlot allowed investigation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in MUDA sites allotment case last year. In the months since, Gehlot has either rejected or sent back several bills passed by both Houses for clarification, deepening the divide.

Reacting to the Governor’s address, the main Opposition, the BJP said that the Governor has only read out the address drawn up by the Congress Government. But the fact is that the State is glaring at an economic crisis and targeted the Government for ‘high borrowings.’

CM Siddaramaiah, who also holds the Finance Portfolio, will present the 2025-26 Budget on Mar. 7, which is likely to have an outlay of Rs. 4 lakh crore. The session is scheduled to conclude on Mar. 21. This will be Siddaramaiah’s 16th Budget presentation and just two behind the record of former Gujarat Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, who presented 18 Budgets. Vala had also served as Karnataka Governor, preceding the current incumbent Thaawarchand Gehlot.

During the Session, the Opposition is likely to target Siddaramaiah for his alleged involvement in the MUDA scam and also take on the Government over its preparedness for the upcoming summer season, which is expected to be harsh this year and high borrowings of the State Government.

The BJP is also likely to take forward its demand for a white paper on the State’s finances, during the course of the Session.

Special ramp

Meanwhile, the authorities have set up a special ramp to enable the ailing CM to enter the Vidhana Soudha. Siddaramaiah, who is suffering from knee problems, underwent a knee procedure at a Bengaluru Hospital recently and has been advised 6-week rest. Subsequently, the CM is using a wheel-chair for movements.