I don’t grow money on trees: HDK on delay in allocation of funds

Bengaluru, Aug 10: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday hit back at detractors questioning him over the delay in allocation of funds for various government schemes. His retort — he doesn’t grow money on trees.

“I am being accused of not allocating funds for the farm loan waiver, Shaadi Bhagya and other schemes. But I want to let them know that I don’t grow money on trees to distribute funds right away,” Kumaraswamy said while addressing a function in Bengaluru to mark World Tribal Day.

He added that a certain process has to be followed and there are multiple constraints that only he knows about. “I need to take officials into confidence before allocating funds. Despite these constraints, I have to convince them to release the money,” he added.

The CM, however, clarified that he would ensure all schemes meant for the poor and backward classes continue without any monetary hindrance. “I have found ways to allocate money for the Rs 49,000 crore mega farm loan waiver. People should have patience and give me some time to address other issues,” he said.

On reports that the government has reduced the allocation for Shaadi Bhagya, a scheme introduced by the previous Congress regime, Kumaraswamy said this isn’t true.

“Be it Shaadi Bhagya or any other scheme, there hasn’t been any reduction in allocation. I haven’t slashed allocation for programmes announced by the Congress government during its vote-on-account budget placed before the assembly in February this year,” the chief minister said.