Summary:
Bengaluru: Settling speculation over the nature of the state budget for fiscal 2018-19, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said he would present a full budget in July. His clarification came two days after former Congress Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the media here that Kumaraswamy need not present a full budget, as he had already presented a budget for the fiscal in February ahead of the May 12 assembly election. “I will present a full budget for the state in July first week,” Kumaraswamy told reporters at the Press Club in his maiden press conference after assuming office on May 23. “The Chief Minister plans to announce the waiver as part of the budget proposals in the monsoon session of the assembly next month,” added the leader. Downplaying Siddaramaiah’s statement, Kumaraswamy said a new government had every right to present its own budget based on its poll manifesto and in the interests of the people across the state..