BJP MLA Abhay Patil on Tuesday alleged that the Karnataka government has completely neglected the development of Belagavi, claiming that not a single rupee of special funding has been allocated to the city since the Congress government assumed office nearly three years ago.
Addressing a press conference at the Belagavi City Corporation office, Patil said the absence of dedicated funding has resulted in several key development projects coming to a standstill, affecting the city’s overall progress.
Patil claimed that from the tenure of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa in 2008 through the previous Siddaramaiah-led government, Belagavi received a special grant of ₹100 crore annually for development. However, he alleged that the current government has not sanctioned any such allocation during its tenure.
He further alleged that while tenders for development works are being processed from Bengaluru, projects are not being executed on the ground, preventing citizens from receiving the intended benefits.
Referring to works in his constituency, Patil said more than 200 temple and community hall projects remain incomplete due to a lack of funds. In several cases, only the walls have been constructed, while roof slabs are yet to be cast. Elsewhere, buildings have been completed but are awaiting installation of doors and windows, leaving the facilities unusable for the public.
The MLA also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of roads across Belagavi, alleging that inadequate funding has delayed pothole repairs and other essential maintenance works, causing hardship to residents.
Patil further alleged that the state’s financial condition is under severe strain and claimed that ministers and MLAs are focused more on political issues than on development. He said the BJP would raise the issue of stalled development projects in Belagavi and other parts of Karnataka during the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly.