Bengaluru, Mar 3 – Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, in his address to the joint session of the state legislature, outlined the state's unique development model, emphasizing its focus on people-centric economic, social, and cultural governance. Gehlot stated that Karnataka's model is being studied globally, with experts and universities taking note of its potential to shape sustainable progress.
Speaking at Vidhana Soudha, Gehlot highlighted how the Karnataka model integrates various aspects, including green energy and women empowerment, as part of its broader development vision. He proudly noted that this model is gaining attention worldwide, with prestigious institutions like Oxford University lauding it as "Shining a Light in the Darkness" and a "Blueprint for the World." Gehlot also mentioned that the head of the United Nations had visited Karnataka to learn more about its innovative governance strategies.
Defending Government Welfare Schemes
Gehlot used his speech to defend the government’s welfare schemes, especially in the face of criticism from opposition parties. He stressed that the government had successfully dispelled concerns that its ambitious welfare programs would undermine the state’s financial health. According to Gehlot, Karnataka's financial position is robust, and the state's income and private capital inflows are rising steadily.“The severity of inequality has reduced significantly due to the efficient implementation of welfare programmes,” Gehlot asserted. He further highlighted that the state is the second-largest in the country in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and that its GST growth rate remains strong.
Welfare Programmes and Economic Growth
The Governor also addressed the impact of the government’s welfare schemes on farmer families, citing a significant reduction in suicides. He noted that the state is spending over ₹90,000 crore annually on welfare, directly benefiting more than 1.25 crore families through direct cash transfers and various subsidies.Gehlot emphasized the government's commitment to reducing inequality, drawing attention to the fact that over ₹52,000 crore is allocated annually to guarantee schemes, with over ₹70,000 crore being transferred directly to people's bank accounts since the government took office.
Fiscal Health and Law and Order
On the fiscal front, Gehlot reported a strong performance in revenue collection for the fiscal year 2024-25, with ₹1,81,908 crore collected by the end of December, marking a 13% year-on-year growth. Karnataka's GST collections, which have grown by 12%, place the state second in the country in terms of total GST tax collection.The Governor also stressed that there had been no major law and order issues in the state for the past 19 months. He praised the police for their people-friendly approach and their efforts to combat cybercrime, which has seen a rise across the nation.
Irrigation Projects and Future Plans
Gehlot reiterated the government’s focus on completing pending irrigation projects within the stipulated time, though some projects require central government approval. He mentioned that the state is actively pursuing the necessary approvals from the Centre to move forward with these crucial initiatives.Opposition Criticism
In response to the Governor’s address, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the speech, with BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra calling it a "pure lie." Vijayendra argued that the state’s development had come to a "standstill," and the government’s claims of progress were far from the truth.Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, echoed similar sentiments, dismissing the government as a "zero government" with "zero development."
As Karnataka continues to navigate its development path, the debate between the state’s ruling party and the opposition remains intense, with both sides presenting starkly different views on the government’s achievements and future prospects.
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