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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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
