Karnataka is all set to lead a protest against the alleged “injustice” and “stepmotherly treatment” by the Central government in the interim budget for 2024-25, one that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated should not to be interpreted as a Congress versus Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issue. It is to be held in the country’s capital, New Delhi, at Jantar Mantar on February 7. Calling it a move to highlight the financial disbursement disparity shown to states in the North and the South of India, neighbouring Kerala will also protest a day later at the same venue.
‘NOT POLITICAL’
“It’s not a political protest; it is a protest against the stepmotherly treatment by the Centre, even when Karnataka was badly hit by drought,” said Siddaramaiah.
What’s on the agenda? Senior Congress leaders that News18 spoke to said that although Karnataka has been the second highest contributor to taxes in the country, it is yet to get its due. The daylong protest will also include submitting a memorandum to the Union government on the unfair tax devolution and grants-in-aid to the state.
The ruling Congress in Karnataka has also urged the Opposition BJP to join the agitation in Delhi.
“The agitation is in the interest of Karnataka, and the BJP leaders in Karnataka should understand that the fight is for those people who elected them. They should fight for their rights. They should shed their party allegiance and become allegiant towards people,” said a senior Congress leader to News18.
Siddaramaiah said that Ministers, MLAs of both the Houses of the legislature, and MPs will participate in the protest against the issues related to the 15th Finance Commission, including disbursement of grants from the Centre.
“The BJP government in the Centre has been constantly meting out a raw deal to Karnataka, be it relief for COVID, drought, MNREGA, or irrigation projects. We will list all this while we protest in Delhi,” said Siddaramaiah, adding, “Why should we be silent spectators?”
Deputy CM Shivakumar said that there was a need to fight this ‘injustice’ unitedly and repose the faith that the people of Karnataka had put in the government while repaying their debt. “We have been cooperating with the Centre as we believe in Federalism. But what do we get in return? We have been seeing the injustice caused to the state for the past 10 years…Our trust has been betrayed…Some northern states have contributed much lower to taxes than Karnataka. It is our duty to raise this issue with the Union government and create awareness among the people of Karnataka as to where the issue stems from. That is the purpose of the protest on the 7th.”
THE ISSUES
Congress chief spokesperson Natraj Gowda enumerated the details of the protest to held in Delhi.
“Of the 61 projects that the Centre had promised for Karnataka under 23 ministries, funds have not been released for even one. In the last budget, the Union government said they would release funds for the suburban rail, peripheral ring road in Bengaluru, most importantly, Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Krishna project. Where is all that money that was promised? We have not seen a penny. It is necessary that we raise the voice for our people,” Gowda said.
CM Siddaramaiah further highlighted how, as per the 14th Finance Commission, Karnataka had to receive Rs 10,000 crore, which had not been disbursed. Karnataka faced a loss to the state to the tune of Rs 62,098 crore in taxes, he stated.
“Karnataka got a share of only 4.71 per cent of taxes and 3.64 per cent of taxes as per the 15th Finance Commission, in which a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore was to be disbursed. What happened to all these promises and money,” asked Natraj.
Reacting to the BJP’s attack that the Congress is unable to manage its state’s finances after having promised guarantees ahead of the elections, Shivakumar said the state has the capability to manage the guarantees as announced.
“Let the Centre give us our share. We will be in Delhi to demand our share. They can leave the finances of our state to us.”
Comments
0 comment