‘This government has made it a routine…’: Kumaraswamy criticizes bus fare hike in Karnataka

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 3 (ANI): Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy expressed strong displeasure over the Karnataka Congress government's decision to increase bus fares by 15 per cent and said the government has made it a "routine" to hike prices and burden the public,
Criticizing the move, he stated, "Since coming to power, this government has made it a routine to burden the public, and the people are forced to bear it."
Responding to questions from the media on Friday, the Union Minister questioned the very functioning of the state government. "Is there even a government in this state? Can this really be called a government? Ever since they came to power, all they've done is hike prices," he said.
Attacking the Congress government further, Kumaraswamy observed that price hikes have become a 'norm' in Karnataka.
"The government has increased bus fares by 15 per cent, placing a heavy burden on the people. While the public is expressing outrage, they've also grown accustomed to it. They protest for two days and then forget about it, adjusting to the higher fares. This is the reality," he lamented.
Warning that the government is aiming to bring in more hikes and tariffs, Kumaraswamy said that people are not protesting yet because they have received the 'guarantees' promised by the Congress party ahead of polls.
"This same Congress government imposed a cess on diesel and petrol. Did people protest? No, they adjusted to it. They increased stamp duty, guidance values, liquor prices, and now even milk prices are set to be hiked. There's talk of water tariffs going up next. The government is hiking prices across the board, yet people are not protesting because they're preoccupied with the 'guarantees' promised to them. The government seems to assume that people have approved these hikes," he remarked.
He also criticized the state government for failing to announce development programs for the new year. "Instead of unveiling new development initiatives, the government has announced price hikes. It's as if they are telling people to prepare for a year full of price hikes," mocked the minister.
He further added, "In previous administrations, price hikes were made only when absolutely necessary. Adjustments were also made to reduce prices when possible. But this government's mismanagement has placed the entire burden on the people. It has taken every problem onto itself and is making the public pay the price."
The former CM further highlighted the "mess" in the electricity department and accused the state government of misusing the taxpayer's money.
Highlighting the ongoing mismanagement, Kumaraswamy remarked, "Wherever possible, the government is hiking prices. Let's see what happens to the electricity department next. The department is already in a mess due to the government's poor administration. They've introduced schemes like the 'Yuvanidhi' under their guarantees, but how much money has actually reached the youth? This government is recklessly spending public money and misusing taxpayer funds. People need to understand this," Kumaraswamy cautioned.
He added "On one hand, the government is giving guarantees, and on the other, it is taking back more from the people. This has been the story since the day they came to power." (ANI)