State passes resolutions asking Centre for MSP and equal distribution of financial resources
Bengaluru, Feb 22: The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed resolutions urging the Centre to fix minimum support price for all crops, and to ensure equal distribution and non-discriminatory allocation of financial resources, condemning it for injustice in disbursing state's share of taxes and special grants.
The resolutions were met with uproar from the opposition benches led by the BJP.
"This house unanimously resolves to urge the central government to frame a legislation regarding fixation of minimum support price for all crops of farmers," the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil read out the resolution in support of farmers.
The resolution was passed as farmers, particularly from Punjab and Haryana, march towards Delhi to press the union government for their demand for MSP on crops to sustain them.
Patil said this house insists on fulfilling their most justifiable demands without resorting to conflict with the farmers.
ALSO READ: Karnataka govt seeks MEA help to rescue 3 young men allegedly forced to fight Russia-Ukraine war
It is the wish of every Indian farmer that a profitable price should be fixed for the crops grown by them. All pro-people democratic civilian governments insist on implementing this good ideal and making agriculture profitable, the government said in its resolution.
Agricultural scientist and policy advisor late Dr M S Swaminathan, whom the BJP government at the Centre is honouring with the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, is quoted in the resolution.
Swaminathan had reported that governments have neither made any progress, nor brought any change at the expected level in achieving the 'Green Revolution' by announcing a minimum support price of 50 per cent of a farmer's cost of cultivation.
"It is inevitable for farmers across India to follow the path of movement, agitation and struggle, demanding guarantee of 'minimum support price for all agricultural produce and to fix the price of farmer's produce based on the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee'," the resolution said.
The Congress government said that Karnataka has continued to support the adoption of pricing norms for commercial crops for other agricultural produce, with a view to making agriculture profitable by preserving the income of food providers who are an integral part of the nation's food supply and overall development of the economy.
"But in recent times, the actions of the central government have resulted as anti-farmer policy and have created a situation where the farmer does not get the minimum support price," the Karnataka government said in the resolution.
In its second resolution, the state government said it strongly condemns the injustice and pecuniary damage caused due to the unscientific GST system, reduction in tax share because of imposition of cess and surcharges, and non-disbursement of special and state-centric grants as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
The people of Karnataka have noticed that for the past one decade there have been many instances of bias in allocation of funds by the central government in providing grants recommended by finance commissions, sanctioning central share as per drought relief norms, the resolution said.
"Along with the idea that the underdeveloped and poor states shall get more funding, the central government is striking at the roots of progressive states like Karnataka by not following the principles of the federal system and by (doing) injustice to the states that have made the best progress," it explained.
Since 23 per cent of loss occurred in allocation of share by the 15th Finance Commission, compared to the previous Finance Commission, the state has recorded a loss of Rs 1,78,189 crores from 2017-18, the resolution said.
"This house hereby unanimously resolves to urge the central government to take strong stand of equal distribution and non-discriminatory allocation of financial resources in the interest of citizens, and that no injustice shall be done in the interest of the people of Karnataka as well as its development," the government said.
BJP MLAs created a major commotion over the two resolutions passed in the assembly, expressing their displeasure at the comments aimed at the union government led by their party.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Lok Sabha confirms imposition of President's rule in Manipur
_vb_75.jpeg)
New Delhi (PTI): The Lok Sabha early Thursday adopted a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of President's rule in Manipur with opposition supporting the decision but slamming the Centre for the situation in the state.
Replying to a short debate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government has taken all possible steps to bring back normalcy in the restive northeastern state.
He said there has been no violence in Manipur in the last four months, adding that talks were on with both Meitei and Kuki communities for a peaceful solution.
"By and large the situation is peaceful. As long as people are in camps, I would not say the situation is satisfactory. The government is taking all possible steps to restore peace in Manipur," he said.
The home minister said the ethnic violence in Manipur had started following an order of the state's high court.
"The day the order came, we sent the central forces by air. There was no delay on our part (in taking action)," he said.
He said, so far, 260 people have died in the violence that started in May 2023 and 80 per cent of them lost their lives within the first month.
Shah said he did not want to compare the violence that had taken place during the tenure of the previous governments but wanted to tell the House about the clashes between the Naga and Kuki communities that took place in the 1990s over five years.
"Sporadic violence continued for a decade where 750 people lost their lives. There were Kuki-Paite clashes in 1997-98 when 352 people were killed. In the Meitei-Pangal clashes in the 1990s, over 100 people died. Neither the then prime minister nor the then home minister visited Manipur," he said.
The home minister said an impression has been given that violence erupted only during the BJP rule, which is not correct.
Earlier, participating in the debate, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said his party supported the resolution but wanted the restoration of peace and stability in the state.
"End insurgency, restore peace and stability, promote dialogue with each other, promote inclusivity," he said.
Sayani Ghosh of the Trinamool Congress said her party too supports the resolution but favours early restoration of peace.
DMK's K Kanimozhi said "divisive" politics should come to an end in Manipur.
"We want normalcy to return, peace and harmony should be restored. We also want the formation of an elected government," she said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant expressed concern over the prevailing situation in Manipur and said peace must be restored.
NCP (SCP) member Supriya Sule said the President's Rule is not good for democracy and sought "strong intervention" of the home minister in bringing back normalcy.
The resolution 'Consideration on the Proclamation issued by the President on the 13th February 2025 under article 356 (1) of the Constitution in relation to the State of Manipur’ was adopted by the House by a voice vote.
The violence started after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised against the high court order.
There have been many efforts from the central government to bring the warring communities to the negotiating table.
