Siddaramaiah targets CM Yediyurappa over GST compensation
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa "lacks courage" to fight against "the injustice", senior Congress leader Siddaramiah claimed on Thursday, as he hit out at the state government for accepting the Centre's option of borrowing to meet the shortfall in GST revenues.
In a series of tweets, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly also accused the Centre of "running away" from the crisis, saying the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was conceived on the foundations of mutual trust.
"@bsybjp (Yediyurappa) lack courage to fight against injustice. His lust for position has replaced his spine and this has made him to accept Rs. 97,000 Cr formula.
"Does this mean he is willing to forgo additional gap which is pictured as loss due to pandemic and betray Kannadigas?" Siddaramaiah asked.
There was no way to determine the exact loss due to pandemic or recession or GST implementation, he said, adding GST Compensation Act mandates the Centre to pay the gap to states without any rider and the Narendra Modi government should honour its commitment.
"@narendramodi govt should raise loan to compensate complete GST gap instead of just Rs. 97,000 Cr. This way he can at least attempt to fulfil one promise," he said in another tweet.
BJP ruled Karnataka on Wednesday had said it has decided to opt for the first among the two options provided by the Centre for borrowing to meet the shortfall in GST revenues, under which the state will be eligible for a total compensation of Rs 18,289 crore.
Several non-BJP ruled states have rejected the Centre's suggestion of states borrowing to make up for the GST shortfall, saying the constitutional liability lies with the Union government.
Noting that GST was conceived on the foundations of mutual trust, Siddaramaiah said, "Running away attitude of @narendramodi govt, during crisis, is a threat to cooperative federalism. Safeguarding @BJP4India from being exposed is the main task given to BJP ruled states and our Yediyurappa is obliging to it."
Following the GST council meeting last week, the Centre had written to states suggesting options of borrowing money to make up for the Rs 2.35 lakh crore shortfall in GST revenues expected in the ongoing fiscal.
The Centre has estimated that of this Rs 2.35 lakh crore, Rs 97,000 crore compensation requirement is due to GST rollout and the remaining is on account of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.
Giving two options, it had said states can borrow either Rs 97,000 crore the deficit arising out of GST implementation or the entire Rs 2.35 lakh crore.
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Violence during Ram Navami rally in Murshidabad; Muslim shops vandalised, several injured
Murshidabad: Violence broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Raghunathganj area of Jangipur subdivision, where around 40 shops were reportedly vandalised and several set on fire, raising concerns over law and order ahead of the Assembly elections.
The incident took place in Fultala locality, a predominantly Muslim residential area near the Jangipur subdivisional hospital. According to sources, tension began when a Ram Navami procession passed near a mosque while Friday prayers were underway.
Objections raised by those offering prayers reportedly led to a verbal altercation. The situation escalated as the procession moved towards Fultala crossing.
Eyewitnesses alleged that members of the mob climbed onto rooftops of nearby houses, hoisted saffron flags, damaged shops and assaulted residents. Several commercial establishments, including small shops and food outlets, were reportedly targeted.
The site of the incident is located close to the Raghunathganj police station. Residents claimed that the violence continued for some time despite the presence of police and central forces, alleging delayed intervention. Police later resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd.
Among those injured was Abul Sheikh, a 30-year-old employee of Jangipur municipality, who sustained head injuries. He alleged that he was attacked while passing through the area on his motorcycle, which was also damaged and set on fire.
BJP Jangipur president Subal Chandra Ghosh said the situation arose after the procession was allegedly obstructed. He stated that participants reacted by pelting stones, leading to clashes in which people from both sides were injured.
Superintendent of Police of Jangipur police district, Surinder Singh, said police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. He said an investigation has been initiated with the involvement of both state police and central forces. No arrests had been made so far, and search operations are underway, he added.
Jangipur MLA Zakir Hossain alleged that the incident was an attempt to create communal tension ahead of elections and demanded immediate action against those responsible.
