In the last one week, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has repeatedly uttered  these words “Kayaka means production and Dasoha means distribution”. 

It is no coincidence that Basavanna’s principles of Kayaka and Dasoha are  used frequently  by  the Chief Minister, who has  been  holding non-stop meetings with  the Finance Department, for the presentation of his 14th Budget for the past 25 days . 

From the first budget presented by Siddaramaiah as Deputy Chief Minister and  Finance Minister in 1995-96 to the last  budget presented  as  Chief Minister  in his previous term for 2018-19, the shadows  of Basavanna, Dr. B.R Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia and Devaraja Urs  is  clearly seen and  documented in all 13 budgets. 

In the seven budgets presented from 1995-96, socialist aspirations, thoughts  and concerns were  significantly seen.  In the six budgets from 2013-14 to 2018-19, there are clear traces and documents to say that  the principles and ideals of the Ahinda movement has led  Siddaramaiah. 

In these two phases  of budgets, large amount of money has been allocated  to agriculture, industry, service sector and skill development.   Allocation of  funds to the Ahinda and Shudra communities which constitute 85% of the total population,  is a testimony to Basavanna’s ideal  of equal share for all. ( Sarvarigu Samapaalu) 

In the 14th budget which is  considered as the most challenging one,  it can be estimated from the statements of the Chief Minister made in the last one week , that  the five guarantees will  provide adequate relief to the hardships of all castes and classes of people.    

Revenues receipts in the 13 budgets so far and expenditure incurred have all increased each year. Especially, the revenue surplus from 127 crores to 910 crores from 2014-15 to 2018-19 shows that Siddaramaiah has not violated financial discipline.

Apart from the fact that he has  presented   the highest number of budgets in the state,  Siddaramaiah is also reputed for  following fiscal discipline and implementing pro people programmes .

Siddaramaiah, who has equalled Ramakrishna Hegde’s record by presenting the 13th  budget in February 2018, is also setting a record that no other person can match in the future of the   State.

Two important factors  can be noted in Siddaramaiah’s budgets which  deserve study and research.

Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act 1991 and provisions of Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act 2002 have not been violated.  And financial  discipline has not been violated. 

As Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, he drafted and implemented the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 1991. Similarly, the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act 2002 simplified the government’s fiscal procedures and made the Medium Term Fiscal Plan Estimates (MTFP) mandatory in the legislature along with the annual budget.

States had the right and authority to levy taxes during the presentation of 13 budgets so far. Now this right of states has been curbed   by central GST. In addition, the central government has artificially created a formidable challenge for Siddaramaiah by refusing to provide rice to the Annabhagya scheme.

Amid GST and non-cooperation from the Centre, the Chief Minister has announced that five guarantee schemes will definitely be implemented this financial year itself.

 The beneficiaries of the  5 Guarantee Schemes are proving that the  Government is not restricted to  One Party or One Religion.

The size of the first budget presented by Siddaramaiah was Rs 12,616 crore while the size of the 13th budget was Rs 2,09,181 crore. The media has reported that the Chief Minister himself has  estimated that the size of the 14th budget could be 3,35,000 crores.

Meanwhile, financial challenges have also grown along with the size of the budget. The 14th budget which will be  presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is surrounded by challenges at the time  when the profit oriented market and corporate economic policy is ruling the country, erasing socialist economic policies and killing pro  people  concerns.

The curiosity regarding how the CM will be able to penetrate the Chakravyuha of challenges and safeguard  his lifetime concerns  will end in 24 hours.