Memes flood social media after Karnataka ropes in Boston Consulting Group to boost revenue

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has allocated a substantial Rs 52,009 crore for these schemes in his latest budget.

The Karnataka government has engaged Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as a consultant in a bid to bolster its revenue and curb financial leakages prompting social media backlash.

The move comes as the Congress-led administration faces mounting pressure to fund its ambitious social welfare schemes, collectively known as the five guarantees. These initiatives, which aim to benefit 5.10 crore residents, are projected to cost the state Rs 36,000 crore in the current fiscal year.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has allocated a substantial Rs 52,009 crore for these schemes in his latest budget. However, to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives, the government is exploring various avenues to generate additional revenue.

Sources reveal that BCG's draft report recommends identifying new revenue streams in sectors such as mining and asset monetisation. One notable suggestion is the monetisation of approximately 25,000 acres of land near Bengaluru.

After the announcement, memes and jokes flooded social media.

Consultants charge take money to use your own watch to tell you the time

— Kunal Khattar (@KunalKhattar) June 19, 2024

Reminds me of this: pic.twitter.com/YXuB0kWdIH

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— RK (@rk_04) June 18, 2024

First recruit political consultants to make unfulfillable promises. Then hire management consultants using precious remaining resources to undo the damage. This is the new political vicious cycle. https://t.co/t45Nq6oMHS

— Naman () (@namanpugalia) June 18, 2024

It will definitely boost revenues.........of Boston Consulting Group. https://t.co/eb9Ns7qRW8

— Sai (@Saiarav) June 18, 2024

There are 5 chairs & 7 kids.

Big4- Buy 2 more chairs. McK- KiII 2 kids. BCG- Muh Efficient Muh Competent https://t.co/TTc3VXnFc0pic.twitter.com/134hy0S8gg — Adeptus Ailurophilus (@Ailurophile40K) June 20, 2024

BCG's involvement with the Karnataka government is not new. The consultancy previously served as a knowledge partner for the state's Global Investors' Meet and has been instrumental in various initiatives aimed at attracting investments.

In February 2024, BCG presented a design for the proposed KHIR (Knowledge, Healthcare, Innovation, and Research) City near Bengaluru to the State Major Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil.

The current collaboration will see BCG helping the state to enhance both tax and non-tax revenues, reduce expenses, explore innovative funding sources, and foster public-private partnerships (PPPs). The firm will also identify initiatives to increase compliance and expand the taxpayer base, focusing on commercial taxes, road tax, excise duties, and land registration fees.