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Highlighting some of the alleged examples of mismanagement under the BJP, Siddaramaiah attacked the Centre, saying they stopped compensating Karnataka for GST losses, and that it led to the state seeing revenue losses to the tune of Rs 18,000-Rs 20,000 crore
Siddaramaiah added that the BJP was criticising the state’s financial situation for political gains. (PTI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has launched a scathing attack on the state BJP and the Centre over allegations of leading the state towards bankruptcy.
With the recent uproar over stalled payments for the guarantees in Karnataka, the Congress government came under further attack for failing to fulfill its promises, with the BJP calling it “proof enough” of the state being headed towards bankruptcy.
Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar’s remark that “even God descending upon Bengaluru in the coming years wouldn’t prevent the woes the city faces” added further momentum to the BJP’s charge that Bengaluru and Karnataka had no future under the Congress.
Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra and former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai had recently demanded a white paper on the state’s finances, just ahead of the Karnataka Budget in March, alleging that the economy had collapsed. Siddaramaiah has now released an elaborate statement, countering BJP’s attacks.
“The reality is that during the BJP’s rule, the state’s economy was pushed to the brink of collapse. Now, while sitting in the Opposition, they are speaking as if they are great economists. Our government is working hard to bring the state’s economy back on track after the mismanagement and chaos caused by the BJP’s irresponsible financial policies. It is unfortunate that the BJP cannot accept or understand this.”
The release adds: “During the BJP’s rule, they took up projects worth seven times more than the budget allocated. As of March 31, 2023, they left behind unpaid bills worth Rs 2,70,695 crore for key departments like public works, minor irrigation, water resources, urban development, rural development, and housing. They also approved projects worth Rs 1,66,426 crore under the chief minister’s discretionary fund. Can such financial mismanagement, irresponsibility, and corruption be fixed in just a few years?”
Highlighting some of the alleged examples of mismanagement under the BJP, Siddaramaiah attacked the Centre, saying they stopped compensating Karnataka for GST losses, and that it led to the state seeing revenue losses to the tune of Rs 18,000-Rs 20,000 crore.
Siddaramaiah also continued his tirade against the Centre over the alleged injustice in tax devolutions. “In 2018-19, when the central budget was Rs 24.42 lakh crore, Karnataka received Rs 35,895 crore as its share. Now, with the central budget at Rs 50.65 lakh crore, Karnataka is expected to receive only Rs 51,000 crore. Compared to 2018, we should have received at least Rs 73,000 crore. This alone causes an annual loss of Rs 22,000 crore to the state. The central government collects over Rs 4.5 lakh crore in taxes from Karnataka but gives back only a fraction. Has the BJP ever spoken about this?” he questioned.
Not sparing the BJP parliamentarians and legislators from the state, Siddaramaiah said their silence “is akin to a lamb being skinned alive while it continues to graze, oblivious to its plight”.
Defending Karnataka’s economy under his reign, Siddaramaiah then pointed that the state’s own tax revenue growth was 15 per cent compared to 11 per cent during the BJP’s tenure.
“Our fiscal discipline is intact. The fiscal deficit is below 3 per cent, and our total liabilities are within 25 per cent of GSDP. During the BJP’s rule, these were out of control. Karnataka continues to stand strong.”
He added: “Despite the BJP’s conspiracies and betrayals, Karnataka continues to stand strong. We are providing over Rs 52,000 crore for guarantee schemes and supporting farmers in distress. We are fulfilling our promises to Kalyan Karnataka and providing grants to all parts of the state, including Bengaluru,” said Siddaramaiah, defending development works by the Congress in the state.
Siddaramaiah added that the BJP was criticising the state’s financial situation for political gains and claimed that it was the good governance that attracted investments worth 10.27 lakh crore at the recent Invest Karnataka event.
Taking a dig at Vijayendra over charges of rising debt in the state, the Karnataka CM pointed that government debt had skyrocketed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi by over Rs 147 lakh crore in 11 years.
“PM Modi’s economic policies have also destabilised state finances. In March 2014, all states’ combined debt was Rs 25 lakh crore. Now, it has exceeded Rs 95 lakh crore, an increase of Rs 70 lakh crore in 10 years. States are suffering due to the central government’s policies and the central economy is also weakening,” Siddaramaiah noted.
He concluded by claiming that Karnataka’s economy was strong enough to withstand BJP’s betrayals, but that it would continue to fight for the state’s rights against the injustices of the BJP-led central government under Modi.
With Siddaramaiah set to present his 16th budget as finance minister, fare hikes, the status of the Congress guarantees, welfare of the Kalyana Karnataka region, infrastructure works and law and order in the state could be focal points in the assembly session.
- Location :
Bangalore, India, India
