Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Pai Calls for Special Funds for Bengaluru
Mohandas Pai, a former top executive at Infosys, thinks the Indian government should give special money to Bengaluru in the upcoming budget.
He also criticized the current Karnataka government for not taking good care of the city.
Pai said a lot of money was spent on things that weren't necessary, and this hurt Bengaluru's development.
He also disagreed with the government's plan to use paper ballots instead of machines for voting, saying it would make the city look bad.
Despite his criticism, Pai praised the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, for his leadership.
The government said they are working to fix the city's problems, like bad roads and garbage, and have already fixed many potholes.
Mohandas Pai expects special funds for Bengaluru in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Pai criticizes the Karnataka government for spending ₹60,000-70,000 crore on unnecessary freebies, neglecting Bengaluru's infrastructure.
He opposes the government's plan to reintroduce paper ballots for local elections, calling it absurd and damaging to Bengaluru's reputation.
Pai praises Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his leadership and hard work, calling him an extraordinary political leader.
The Karnataka government acknowledges infrastructure challenges and is working to fix them, having already fixed 5,000 potholes.
- Who
- Mohandas Pai, former CFO of Infosys, and Karnataka government officials
- What
- Pai calls for special funds for Bengaluru and criticizes the government's policies
- When
- Budget 2026-27 to be presented on 1 February
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Why
- To improve infrastructure and address criticism of the city's conditions
Mohandas Pai
Karnataka Government
Freebies and Infrastructure
Mohandas Pai
Pai criticizes the government for spending ₹60,000-70,000 crore on unnecessary freebies, neglecting Bengaluru's infrastructure.
Karnataka Government
The Karnataka government acknowledges infrastructure challenges and is working to fix them, having already fixed 5,000 potholes.
Ballot Papers
Mohandas Pai
Pai opposes the government's plan to reintroduce paper ballots, calling it absurd and damaging to Bengaluru's reputation.
Karnataka Government
The Karnataka government has decided to reintroduce ballot papers in the 2026 local body polls.
- Mohandas Pai
- Former CFO of Infosys and chairman of Aarin Capital
- Budget 2026-27
- Expected to be presented on 1 February
- Freebies
- ₹60,000-70,000 crore spent by the Karnataka government, 50% of which Pai deems unnecessary
- Ballot Papers
- Karnataka government plans to reintroduce in local body elections
- Infrastructure Funds
- ₹1,100 crore sanctioned for road repairs, 5,000 potholes fixed
- Siddaramaiah
- Longest-serving CM of Karnataka, praised by Pai for his leadership and hard work
Sources
Bengaluru should get ‘special funds’ in Union Budget, says Mohandas Pai; hits out at Karnataka govt’s priorities
‘Bengaluru has suffered, it should be funded’ – What Mohandas Pai expects from Budget 2026 for ‘greatest tech city in the world’
'K'taka govt gave away ₹60,000 70,000 crore': Mohandas Pai seeks 'special funds' for Bengaluru, questions freebies