Home Minister says Karnataka has no funds as CM has used money to offer free food and other benefits, later claims he was joking

Karnataka’s Home Minister G. Parameshwar has sought assistance from the Union Government to develop Badami into an international tourist destination.

He told MLA Bheemasen Chimmanakatti to prepare a detailed project development report with an estimate for ₹1,000 crore and send it to the Centre. The Home Minister was speaking at the inauguration of a new Fire and Emergency Services station in Badami on June 23.

“We do not have that kind of money for massive projects. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s government has distributed money from its coffers to the people in the form of free food and other benefits,” he said.

On June 24, speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Dr. Parameshwara clarified, “I did not mean to say that we have run out of money. I said legislators should seek money from the Centre, as we do not have that kind of money for big projects. My comment was in jest.”