Rice or roads: Siddaramaiah's adviser says pick either guarantees or development

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaraiamah’s Economic Adviser, Basavaraj Rayareddy, has sparked a debate with his remarks to villagers, suggesting that development and road work can be taken if people give up welfare guarantees.

“I will get that road done for you all,” Rayareddy assured the villagers during an interaction. “I’ll advise the Chief Minister that our people don’t need rice or anything else, they need this road. Should I tell him that? I’ll inform him, mentioning your name with the suggestion,” he added, promising to take up the matter within the government.

He acknowledged that rural roads were a challenging task but assured them it would be prioritised. “Don’t worry, we still have three more years. We’ll take it up slowly. We must prioritise this road. Village roads are a bit difficult, but we’ll get it done. We’ve already completed most of the roads, and we’ll do this one too,” Rayareddy said.

When asked about Rayareddy’s comments suggesting villagers could forgo guarantee schemes for infrastructure, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said, “I’m not aware of Rayareddy’s statement. He is the financial advisor to the Chief Minister. That matter is between the CM and Rayareddy,” he said.

“@siddaramaiah, you release funds for appeasement politics, but does your government have no money to provide funds for development works..?” Karnataka BJP X handle wrote, responding to Rayareddy’s statements.

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