“If You Want Better Roads, Guarantee Schemes Must Go”: CM’s Economic Advisor Rayareddy Sparks Controversy

BM TEAM

Koppal, July 7: In a statement that has sparked political debate, Basavaraj Rayareddy, the Chief Minister’s Economic Advisor, has suggested that ongoing development in Karnataka is being hindered by the government’s financial burden from its flagship guarantee schemes.

Speaking at the inauguration of a high school building in Ryavanika village, Kukanur taluk, Rayareddy responded to a local farmer’s request for a road leading to their farmland. He remarked, “If you don’t want the rice provided under the guarantee scheme, we can use that money to build roads. But if you want better roads, everything else—including rice—will have to stop”.

His comments have been interpreted as an indirect admission of financial constraints facing the government due to the guarantee schemes, which were a major poll promise and have been widely implemented across the state.

Rayareddy’s remarks have opened the door for the opposition to launch fresh criticism against the ruling government. Opposition leaders are expected to seize upon the statement as evidence that the guarantee schemes are unsustainable and are obstructing infrastructure development.

This is not the first time voices within the political establishment have raised concerns about the viability of the guarantee schemes. Several legislators have previously called for reevaluation or partial rollback of these welfare programs.

As the debate continues, Rayareddy’s candid comments could become a flashpoint in Karnataka’s s evolving political landscape, especially as pressure mounts on the government to balance welfare with infrastructure development.