Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 3: Strongly refuting the claim of leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah, that the state has been moving towards bankruptcy, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa said that the state's income last year was Rs 43,500 crore while the salary payments amounted to Rs 10,000 crore. Hence, the state never faced problem in paying salaries of the employees as claimed by Siddaramaiah, he said.

"Siddaramaiah says the government's coffers are empty and that it is finding hard to pay salaries of its employees. This is false. During the last three years, the salary payment to employees was never delayed," he claimed.

He added that the revenue this year, would be less because of the global meltdown. "I would like to inform Siddaramaiah that the central government has raised 40% of its budget through loans. The state on the other hand, raised only 10,000 crore out of its Rs 60,000 crore budget through loans. Compared to the neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and smaller state, Kerala, the loan raised by the state is meagre," Yeddyurappa claimed.