Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has unveiled his 16th budget with a notable surge in allocations for schemes benefiting minorities, witnessing a 33% increase. The budget also focuses on boosting capital expenditure, particularly in the realms of public works and urban development. This move has drawn criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), labeling the budget as ‘halal’ and accusing the Congress party of engaging in appeasement politics. Siddaramaiah’s budgetary decisions are set to impact various sectors in the state significantly, reflecting the government’s priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.