Karnataka finances sound, says Governor

Bangalore, Feb 5: Governor H R Bhardwaj on Monday said Karnataka's financial status was sound, with its tax revenue standing highest in the country.

In his customary joint address to the members of the Legislative Assembly and Council, Bhardwaj said the tax revenue had doubled in the last five years and that the fiscal deficit and public debt had been within the targets prescribed by the Central government and the 13th Finance Commission.

He said Karnataka's tax revenue was 10 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and the per-capita plan expenditure was Rs 6,810, among the highest in the country. The Plan size too had increased by two and a half times in the last five years, he said.

The Governor said the law and order situation in Karnataka had been “very good”, as the State had not witnessed any communal incident.

“Our police force has done an excellent job in maintaining peace, controlling the naxal menace and effectively handling the situation at the time of agitation related to North East. We are tackling crimes against women with an iron hand,” he said, reading out the prepared speech.

He said the government was committed to attain self sufficiency in generation of power, providing better socio-economic infrastructure, enhancing productivity in agriculture and allied sectors, universalising health coverage, improving education in all government institutions and ensuring citizen friendly governance by adding more services under Sakaala. Despite deficit rainfall, the annual foodgrain production is 125 lakh tonnes, higher than previous year's 118 lakh tonnes, the Governor said.

The Phase 3 of the Upper Krishna Project, amounting to Rs 17,000 crore, has been approved and seven out of nine sub-components are under progress.

The Governor said the government had also effectively handled the water problem in the Cauvery basin. The Yettinahole project, which is part of the G S Paramashivaiah report, is being implemented as a short term strategy to fulfil urgent water needs in eastern parts of Karnataka.

Strengthening panchayat raj institutions through adequate devolution of funds has been the hallmark of the government.

“We have succeeded in providing safe drinking water, despite consecutive drought conditions,” he said.

The government has also taken full credit for implementing new legislations such as the Guarantee of Services to the Citizens, Prohibition of Land Grabbing, Regulating Stone Crushers, Establishing Maritime Board, implementing Sakaala scheme and others.

The Governor appealed to the citizens to exercise their democratic rights by actively participating in the upcoming Assembly elections. He urged the legislators to play a constructive role by formulating people-friendly policies.