Karnataka's tax collection went up 11% in the six months from April to September to Rs 75,634-crore, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday.
"Taxes to the tune of Rs 75,634-crore were collected till the end of September, which is 11 per cent more than the same period of the previous fiscal," Kumaraswamy told reporters in Bengaluru on the occasion of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government completing 150 days in office.
He also claimed out of 460 announcements made in Budget speeches of 2018-19, government orders have been issued pertaining most of the announcements.
After forming a post-poll alliance with Congress, JD-S leader Kumaraswamy took to the chief minister's office on May 23, and presented his maiden budget on July 5.
However, a total of 38% budget expenditure was made by the coalition government during its term so far, of the state's estimated total expenditure of Rs 2,18,488-crore for the fiscal 2018-19.
The Chief Minister claimed that the coalition government, which had committed to waiving farm loans to the tune of Rs 43,448-crore from state-run nationalised banks and state co-operative banks, has also begun the process of obtaining the details of the loans obtained by 10 lakh farmers.
"Information will be obtained from farmers as well. Loan details obtained will be verified in order to benefit all the eligible farmers," he added.
He further said Debt Relief Act 2018 is formulated to protect the interests of small farmers, agricultural labourers, small vendors and poor who are being harassed by money lenders. President’s approval is awaited.
On the issue of Kodagu which was ravaged by incessant rainfall in August, the CM said the proposed Kodagu Reconstruction Authority will take care of the speedy rehabilitation process
He said, “For relief works in Kodagu, people of Karnataka have extended tremendous support and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has received Rs. 187.16 crore in donations from the public. Additionally, Sudha Murthy, the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation has offered Rs. 25 crore aid.”