From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jan 14: On the eve of the Sankranti Festival, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called upon all Kannadigas cutting across caste, religion and politics to rise against the discrimination and injustice to the State from the Centre and fight for the rightful share of funds.
“This injustice demands an answer: “Our Tax, Our Right” Karnataka will not tolerate this bias any longer, the Chief Minister said in a press statement.
“I deliberately waited a couple of days, hoping Karnataka's BJP leaders would muster the courage to speak up for Kannadigas. But what have they done? Instead of fighting for our rightful share, they are busy singing praises of Modi for this grand betrayal of Karnataka!,” he said asking: “Is this their idea of leadership—bowing to Delhi while Karnataka is robbed of its dues?”
Siddaramaiah said the NDA government's betrayal of Karnataka continues in full swing.
“Of the Rs 1,73,030 crore allocated to states, Karnataka has been given a mere Rs 6,310 crore—a shocking drop from previous instalments. This injustice mocks every hardworking Kannadiga,” he said.
Despite making up only 5% of India’s population, Karnataka contributes 8.4% to the nation’s GDP.
'Karnataka gets mere 13 paise for a Rupee'
“We rank second in GST collection and lead the nation in GST growth with an impressive 17% increase. The Union Budget has doubled from Rs 24.42 lakh crore in 2018-19 to Rs 48.20 lakh crore in 2024-25, yet Karnataka’s share has stagnated. In 2018-19, Karnataka received Rs 46,288 crore, but in 2024-25, it has been allocated only Rs 44,485 crore, with an additional Rs 15,299 crore in grants,” he said.
Karnataka, contributing so much, should receive at least Rs 1 lakh crore annually but continues to be denied its rightful share.
'Where are State’s BJP leaders?'
“Why should Karnataka, contributing Rs 4.5 lakh crore annually to the national exchequer, receive only Rs 45,000 crore in tax share and ?15,000 crore in grants—a mere 13 paise for every rupee we contribute?,” he asked.
Meanwhile, corruption-ridden states like Uttar Pradesh (Rs 31,039 crore), Bihar (Rs 17,403 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 13,582 crore), and Rajasthan (Rs 10,426 crore) are showered with funds.
Is Karnataka being punished for excelling in governance, GST growth, and development, the Chief Minister asked.
The 15th Finance Commission reduced Karnataka’s tax share from 4.713% to 3.647%, costing us Rs 79,770 crore over five years. Even the recommended special grant of Rs 5,495 crore to compensate for these losses was denied by the Modi government.
“Where are Karnataka’s BJP leaders? Silent as always. Why are they not demanding our rightful share? Are they representatives of Kannadigas or mere puppets of Delhi? Their silence is a betrayal of Karnataka’s people and their aspirations,” he said.
As the nation celebrates Sankranti, Karnataka, despite its unparalleled contributions, is left to fend for itself, the Chief Minister said pointing out that the State’s tax money builds the coffers of BJP leaders in UP, Bihar and MP our people suffer during floods, droughts and other crises, he added.