Bengaluru, Feb 17 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, on Monday said that he will present the state budget for the year 2025-26 on March 7. This will be the 16th budget to be presented by him.

Speaking to reporters here, Siddaramaiah said, "The Assembly session will begin from March 3. As this will be the first session in the new year, the Governor will address the joint session of both houses of the state legislature on March 3. There will be discussion on the Governor's address on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (March 4, 5 and 6). On Friday (March 7), I will present the budget for 2025-26." "After that there will be discussion on the budget, for which I will reply during the end of March. The Business Advisory Committee will decide as to how long the session should be held (the last date)," he said.

The chief minister who held a pre-budget consultative meeting with farmer leaders and representatives of farmers' organisation on Monday, said he has held similar discussions with various departments at his official residence for the last few days, despite his knee pain, and had come to Vidhana Soudha to meet farmer leaders, who had gathered in large numbers.

"Farmer leaders and representatives of various farmers' organisations have shared their inputs and opinions. Keeping them in mind, the budget will be prepared. We will include whatever possible within our limitations," he said, as he asserted that the government had never lagged behind in protecting the interest of farmers and in supporting the development of agriculture sector.

Responding to a question regarding huge expectations on him, due to the price rise, Siddaramaiah said, "Let's see, both Central and state governments should work towards addressing the issue of price rise. The Central government has more responsibility in this regard. We will do whatever is possible from us." Siddaramaiah alleged that the Union government was not releasing its share of funds for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Karnataka, in accordance with the speed at which the state is implementing the scheme.

Regarding the metro rail fare hike, he said, the fare fixation committee is appointed by the Union government. Though the committee is an autonomous body, it has two representatives appointed by the Centre and one by the state government.

"Metro rail is by both the Centre and state. We (state) may give a proposal for fixing the fare, but the fare fixation committee decides. The committee's chairman is also appointed by the Centre," he said.

To a question about complaints on non-payment of money to beneficiaries of Anna Bhagya (payment of cash in lieu of the additional 5 kg of rice to every member of a BPL household) and Gruha Lakshmi (providing Rs 2,000 per month to women head of families) schemes for the last few months, the CM said, there is no question of stopping any of these schemes. If the payment of money is delayed, it will be done at the earliest.

"I'm not aware it is pending for a couple of months. If not paid, will ensure it is paid," he said. PTI KSU KH

State budget presentation sets legislative schedule and incorporates farmer consultations while flagging intergovernmental funding and fare governance issues. The Chief Minister will present the State Budget during a scheduled Assembly session with debate and a concluding reply; the Business Advisory Committee will set the session's duration. Budget formulation will reflect pre budget consultations with farmer leaders and departments within fiscal limits. The statement flags delayed Union releases for the Jal Jeevan Mission as affecting implementation, notes that metro fare fixation is governed by a committee with Centre appointed members and chair, and assures continuation and prompt payment of public welfare scheme benefits where delays occurred.