Siddaramaiah challenges Sitharaman’s claim on disbursal of recommended grants
In a robust response to the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s denial of recommended grants for Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated the state's demand for its rightful share as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission (15 FC).
Expressing deep concern over the Finance Ministry's refusal to acknowledge the recommended allocations, Siddaramaiah emphasized the significance of adhering to federal principles enshrined in the Constitution.
Addressing the issue through his social media platform, Siddaramaiah highlighted the interim report of the 15 FC for the fiscal year 2020-21, which sanctioned significant sums for Karnataka, Telangana, and Mizoram. He emphasized that these grants were not bestowed out of favoritism but to ensure equitable distribution among states, safeguarding against a decrease in their share of devolution compared to the previous year.
Siddaramaiah further shed light on the final report of the 15 FC, which recommended substantial funds for Karnataka, including allocations for water body revival and infrastructure projects like the Peripheral Ring Road for Bengaluru. However, he lamented the Ministry of Finance's rejection of these recommendations, thereby depriving Karnataka of its rightful share.
ALSO READ: FM Nirmala Sitharaman rubbishes Karnataka govt's claim of injustice in release of central grants
Stating that the state budget for essential expenditures for the five guarantees of the state government Siddaramaiah asserted that Karnataka's demand for its share was not a plea but a rightful assertion of its constitutional entitlement. He underscored the need for the central government to comprehend the essence of equitable distribution among states and fulfill its obligations accordingly.
“We are not asking for funds to our 5 Guarantees. We have adequate provision for those in our budget, thank you,” he said.
Contrary to Siddaramaiah's claims, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier refuted allegations of withholding recommended grants for Karnataka. Dismissing the notion of any such recommendation by the 15 FC in its final report, Sitharaman maintained that Karnataka's claims of non-release of special grants were baseless. This rebuttal followed Karnataka's filing of a writ petition in the Supreme Court, seeking the immediate release of grants under the National Disaster Response Fund to address the state's severe drought conditions.
Sitharaman asserted that every due penny to Karnataka had been disbursed transparently. She provided statistical evidence, highlighting significant increases in tax devolution and grants-in-aid to Karnataka during the tenure of the current government. Sitharaman also referenced additional financial support extended to states post-COVID-19, including interest-free loans for infrastructure development, which Karnataka had reportedly received.
The Finance Minister had urged the state government to review the factual records and desist from misleading the public regarding fund allocation.
One expects the country’s Finance Minister to speak the truth. Unfortunately, she has been consistently denying the written word.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 24, 2024
The interim report of the 15 FC for 2020-21 sanctioned Rs 6764 crores for three states, viz Karnataka (Rs 5495 crores), Telangana (Rs 723 crores) &… pic.twitter.com/8kFhl70oo2
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New trains to ease crowding on Namma Metro Purple-Green lines in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Commuters on the crowded Namma Metro Purple and Green lines may soon get relief, as the Railway Board has issued provisional sanction for induction of new train sets, Deccan Herald reported.
The Railway Board communicated the provisional sanction to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) in a letter on April 1, raising hopes that additional trains could be deployed during peak hours by May-June.
According to the Railway Board, the approval comes with conditions, including a maximum speed of 80 kmph in fully inflated mode and 25 kmph in deflated mode of the secondary air spring.
The BMRCL will also need a separate sanction from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) by submitting the Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) report confirming the trains’ integration, operation, and compatibility with the Direct To Go (DTG) signalling and train control system for the Purple and Green lines.
The BMRCL has received three DTG trains, including a prototype delivered in January 2025, for the Purple and Green lines. The trains must pass 37 statutory clearances before entering passenger service.
The BMRCL had approached the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), under the Ministry of Railways, to conduct statutory trials related to oscillation, braking, speed and system integration tests for the trains. The CMRS will issue the final sanction after receiving the ISA certificate.
Officials said the ISA certification process is already underway, with new signalling software currently being tested. Final approvals are expected by May-June, after which the trains can be introduced into service.
The new trains have been supplied by China's CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, which will deliver a total of 21 trains for the Purple and Green lines in partnership with the West Bengal-based Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL). Currently, the network operates with 57 trains supplied by BEML.
