The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has openly accused Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of lying about the reasons for the delay in releasing drought relief funds to Karnataka. This dispute arises amidst allegations that the Model Code of Conduct has hindered the process.
In a recent statement, Sitharaman defended the central government’s timing, explaining that procedural delays were compounded by the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, preventing the release of the funds after Karnataka’s request in October. She noted that the Election Commission’s approval is still pending for convening a high-level committee to address this issue.
Contrarily, Siddaramaiah asserts that the state had already submitted its memorandum for drought relief in December, and criticized the central government for not disbursing the funds despite Karnataka being one of the highest tax contributors in the country. He emphasized the state’s contribution of Rs 4.30 lakh crore to the central treasury, questioning the equity of the central government’s fiscal allocations.
During a campaign speech, Siddaramaiah highlighted the lack of federal support for local infrastructure, including drinking water in Bengaluru, and accused the central government of dishonesty in its fiscal dealings with Karnataka.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda have also spoken out, inviting Sitharaman for a public discussion which she did not attend. Shivakumar echoed the sentiment of injustice, criticizing the central government’s rationale that the election code prevented timely financial aid.
This controversy surfaces as Karnataka faces widespread drought, with 226 of its 236 taluks declared drought-hit. The state’s leadership continues to advocate for the necessary funds, highlighting the urgency of the situation amidst bureaucratic delays.