Centre betrays Karnataka by meagre allocation of funds: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Jan 13: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday alleged that the BJP led Centre is betraying the state by allocating a mere Rs 6,310 crore of the Rs 1,73,030 crore allocated to states.
He also criticised the Karnataka BJP leaders for their silence against the 'betrayal'.
In a statement, Siddaramaiah said he deliberately waited a couple of days, hoping that the BJP leaders in Karnataka would muster the courage to speak up for Kannadigas, which they did not do.
Instead of fighting for Karnataka's rightful share, they were busy singing praises of Modi for this worst betrayal of Karnataka, the Chief Minister said.
He asked whether "bowing to Delhi while Karnataka is robbed of its dues" was the BJP leaders' idea of leadership.
"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 installments. This injustice mocks every hardworking Kannadiga," Siddaramaiah alleged.
Despite making up only 5 per cent of India's population, Karnataka contributes 8.4 per cent to the nation's GDP, he pointed out.
Siddaramaiah also claimed that Karnataka ranks second in GST collection and lead the nation in GST growth with an impressive 17 per cent increase.
"However, despite Karnataka's significant contributions, the Union Budget has doubled from Rs 24.42 lakh crore in 2018-19 to Rs 48.20 lakh crore in 2024-25, Karnataka's share has stagnated," he charged.
In 2018-19, according to Siddaramaiah, 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 observed that Karnataka should receive at least Rs one lakh crore annually, "but continues to be denied its rightful share".
"Why should Karnataka, contributing Rs 4.5 lakh crore annually to the national exchequer, receive only Rs 45,000 crore in tax share and Rs 15,000 crore in grants -- a mere 13 paise for every rupee we contribute?" the Chief Minister sought to know.
"Meanwhile corruption-ridden states like Uttar Pradesh (Ra 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?" he alleged.
Siddaramaiah also said that the 15th Finance Commission reduced Karnataka's tax share from 4.713 per cent to 3.64 per cent, costing the state 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, he alleged. He hit out at the state BJP leaders.
"And 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," the Chief Minister charged. As the nation celebrates Sankranti, Karnataka, despite its unparalleled contributions, is left to fend for itself, he said.
"While our tax money builds the coffers of BJP leaders in UP, Bihar and MP, our people suffer during floods, droughts, and other crises," Siddaramaiah alleged.
"This injustice demands an answer: 'Our Tax, Our Right'. Karnataka will not tolerate this bias any longer. We call upon every Kannadiga, cutting across caste, religion, and politics, to rise against this discrimination. Let's fight for what is rightfully ours!" the Chief Minister said.
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Kerala minor girl rape: 44 arrested, two accused abroad, says police
Pathanamthitta (PTI): The special investigation team (SIT) of Kerala police probing the sensational case of alleged sexual abuse of a Dalit girl in the district has arrested 44 people so far in connection with the matter, a senior police officer of the district said on Tuesday.
DIG S Ajeetha Begum, who is overseeing the investigation, said that 30 FIRs have been registered in connection with the alleged sexual assault of the girl and out of the 59 accused mentioned in the cases, 44 have been arrested.
"Two of the accused are absconding. They are abroad at present. We are considering issuing Look out Circulars for them. We are also planning to issue a Red Corner notice for them through Interpol," the officer told TV channels.
Besides them, 13 more have to be arrested, she said.
"We are searching for their locations. They will be arrested soon. A foolproof and scientific investigation will be carried out by the SIT. We will not spare any of the accused. There will be no compromise. We will bring all of them before the law," the officer said.
The investigation so far has revealed that several of the accused met the girl at a private bus stand in Pathanamthitta. She was then taken to various locations in vehicles and subjected to abuse, police said.
The probe also found that the girl, while she was studying class XII last year, was taken by a youth who was acquainted with her through Instagram to a rubber plantation in Ranni, where he raped her along with three others.
Police said the investigation revealed she was gang-raped on at least five occasions, including incidents inside a car and at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital in January 2024.
The girl, who is now 18 years old, has alleged in her complaint that she was sexually abused by 62 individuals since the age of 13.
The matter came to light during counselling conducted by the Child Welfare Committee, after the victim's teachers at an educational institution informed the panel about noticeable changes in her behaviour.
The Committee, subsequently, notified the police and an investigation is on.
The SIT had been formed to conduct a comprehensive probe into the incident, with Pathanamthitta Deputy SP P S Nandakumar leading the team under the supervision of District Police Chief V G Vinod Kumar.
The team comprises over 30 police officers, including women, from various ranks and stations.
DIG Ajitha Beegam said that once the Sabarimala pilgrimage season gets over, more officers will be included in the SIT.
