CM-led business advisory panel approves salary hike for Karnataka legislators

BENGALURU: The business advisory committee, headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has given its nod to hike the salaries of state legislators. The move is set to spark controversy as, when the BJP-led government hiked MLA salaries in February 2022, there was little pushback from Congress or Janata Dal (Secular).

Meanwhile, the Budget session of the Assembly commenced on Monday. CM Siddaramaiah said that he will present the Budget on March 7. “Discussion on the address will be held for three days. Then, on March 7, the Budget will be presented. After the discussion, I’ll speak at the end of March”, he had said earlier.

The BJP protested outside the Assembly on Monday against the rise in prices of electricity and milk and the MUDA scam. BJP leader CT Ravi said, “Nearly 2 years have gone by. Congress government has raised the bills from solar electricity to milk… Petrol and diesel prices in the state have increased because the state government increased the petrol cess… Everyone knows the law and order situation in the state.”

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra said, “The state Congress government is repeatedly insulting the Raj Bhavan. The Congress government, which repeatedly claims it believes in the Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar, is repeatedly insulting the Governor. Since the Governor had given a sanction for prosecution against the CM in the Mysuru MUDA scam, probably the CM must be upset with the Governor. Hence they are repeatedly insulting the Governor, which is a constitutional post…” (ANI)