CM Siddaramaiah challenges BJP to stage demo against Centre over injustice to Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Hitting out at the BJP over staging state-wide protests against the fuel price hike, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday challenged the party to organise demonstrations against the Centre over "injustice" to the State.
Petrol prices have gone up by Rs three per litre and diesel by Rs 3.5 per litre following the Karnataka government's decision to increase the sales tax on them on Saturday.
The Chief Minister alleged that the State faced injustice by the BJP-led NDA government in its stare of central funds and GST devolution and in matters relating to release of funds for State projects and dared the BJP to hold protests over this.
Siddaramaiah said the crude oil prices were ruling at USD 113 per barrel at some stage during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but presently, it is at USD 82.35. In 2015, the crude oil price was USD 52 per barrel, which decreased further in the next year, he claimed.
ALSO READ: CM Siddaramaiah defends hike in petrol and diesel prices
“During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, crude oil prices reduced but petrol prices went up. So, against whom should the BJP leaders’ fight be?” Siddaramaiah sought to know.
When Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, a refill LPG cylinder was costing Rs 410. It went up to over Rs 1,000 during the NDA regime. Even after it was brought down, it is still Rs 805.50, he pointed out.
“Who increased the refill gas cylinder from Rs 410 to Rs 805.50 despite reduction in crude oil prices? If they have concern for poor people, let them stage demonstrations against the Centre,” Siddaramaiah said.
After the Centre introduced GST, the state government "lost the power" to increase taxes except petrol-diesel, liquor, stamp duty and motor taxes, the Chief Minister said. He added the Centre collected the GST, Income Tax, Corporate Tax and Excise Duty whereas the state government can only impose sales tax and fix liquor prices.
“Ever since the BJP came to power, Karnataka has suffered a loss of Rs 1.87 lakh crore in the 14th and 15th Finance Commission. Our revenues and the Centre’s contribution to the state came down. No BJP MP spoke in the Parliament though they were 25 in number in the previous Lok Sabha,” he said.
Though the 15th Finance Commission had recommended giving Karnataka Rs 5,495 crore saying that there was decline in state’s GST devolution, the Centre did not give it. Yet, the state BJP did not utter a word on it, Siddaramaiah alleged.
The Chief Minister said the Centre had announced giving Rs 3,000 crore for the peripheral ring road in Bengaluru but it did not give anything. Further, it did not give Rs 3,000 crore for the lake development in Bengaluru.
The BJP-led NDA government had also announced Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project, which they did not give, Siddaramaiah said.
BJP leaders did not speak when there was petrol and diesel price hike, despite reduction in crude oil prices in the international market, when their party was in the power at the Centre, and when the state did not receive its share of Central funds, he underlined.
“Today the BJP calls the Congress government in Karnataka pauper. Do they know the meaning of pauper? Have we stopped anyone’s salary? Did we stop the grant for any project announced in the budget?” he asked.
#WATCH | Bengaluru: On fuel price hike, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "We have raised sale tax by Rs 3, both on petrol and diesel. Still, we are less than the rates that our neighbouring states have. The BJP people are making it an issue for political reasons. When Narendra… pic.twitter.com/oIbmbYGqLY
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2024
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Akash Singh says signature celebration fuels motivation, reinforces dominance
Lucknow (PTI): Pacer Akash Singh caught the eye with his unique celebration during Lucknow Super Giants' win over Chennai Super Kings, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket after a wicket, a gesture he said was aimed at "motivating" himself and "asserting dominance" over batters.
The left-arm pacer pulled out a scrappy piece of paper after each of the three wickets he took in LSG seven-wicket win over CSK, with the message reading: "Akki on fire -- Akash knows how to take wickets in T20 cricket.
The 24-year-old, who began his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals and was part of Chennai Super Kings’ title-winning campaign in 2023 before moving to Lucknow Super Giants, registered his best IPL figures with 3 for 26 on Friday.
"'Akki knows how to take wickets in T20 cricket', right?" Akash said when asked about the message on the piece of paper, adding that it serves as a source of motivation and helps him focus on dominating batters and delivering stronger performances for the team.
"Different things motivate different people. Some days I show the paper, some days I don't, but it reflects my mindset on that particular day. When you carry a piece of paper with something written on it, you manifest things and the most important part is when those manifestations actually materialise," he added.
Akash, who hails from Bharatpur in Rajasthan, said the strong backing from the Lucknow Super Giants support staff over the last two years had played a huge role in his growth as a cricketer.
"I've been with LSG for two years and the most important thing has been the backing from the coaches, even when I'm not in the playing XI. This year we have Bharat Arun sir, last year Zaheer sir was there...Tom Moody. The way they guide us, prepare us and keep us ready for opportunities is very important when there are 25 players in the squad," he said.
"When you are not playing, you naturally seek backing and every player wants to make the most of the opportunities he gets. The support from the captain also matters a lot and with Rishabh bhaiya backing you, the confidence grows and you are able to perform better," Akash said, referring to Rishabh Pant.
Akash said Pant had asked him to trust his strengths ahead of the clash against CSK.
"He told me that the new ball is my strength and that I can swing it both ways. So I just tried to make the best use of my skills. The wicket also had good bounce, so I focused on using the bouncer effectively,” added Akash.
On his success against CSK, Akash said his experience of playing in the IPL since 2020, including a stint with CSK, helped him understand the opposition batters better, while backing his own strengths with the ball also played a key role in his impressive spell.
"Obviously, when you play in the IPL and have shared the dressing room with some players, you understand their strengths and weaknesses. My focus was first to back my own strengths, then exploit their weaknesses and also make the best use of what the wicket was offering," Akash said.
Akash said he had sensed over the last two-three games that an opportunity could come his way after being repeatedly told to "be ready", though he admitted he was unfortunate not to get a chance earlier.
"Two days before the match, during practice, I was told to be ready," he said.
Clarifying that he had not been carrying the piece of paper in anticipation, Akash said he often notes down thoughts that could help improve his game..
"Whenever I’m alone or about to sleep, any thought that comes to my mind which can help my cricket, I write it down. The other night I got this thought and jotted it down on paper," he added.
