Siddaramaiah raking up North-South divide is a typical characteristic of Cong leaders: Amit Malviya


PTI, Feb 6, 2024, 12:36 PM IST

BJP’s IT cell in charge Amit Malviya on Tuesday hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for raking up the North-South divide and said it was a typical characteristic of Congress leaders, who are trusted allies of the ‘Tukde Tukde’ gang.

His statements come ahead of the state Congress unit’s protest in New Delhi under the leadership of Siddaramaiah against the Centre’s alleged injustice to Karnataka by the union government when it comes to tax devolution and grants-in-aid.

Taking to the micro-blogging site ‘X’, Malviya said Siddaramaiah should examine the funds Bengaluru gets versus the regions like ‘Kalyana Karnataka’ and Kalaburagi.

”Does he care about the unfair treatment of Bengaluru? This approach (raking up North-South divide) to politics is deplorable and is a typical characteristic of Congress leaders, who are trusted allies of the ‘Tukde Tukde’ gang,” the BJP IT Cell Chief said.

‘Tukde Tukde’ gang is a phrase used by the BJP to refer to alleged sympathisers of separatists.

Such tactics not only undermine unity but also pose significant risk to social harmony, he cautioned.

According to Malviya, Siddaramaiah’s demand for Rs 5,495 crore special grant was a ‘lie’. ”The 15th FC did not recommend Special Grant to any State. There is no such recommendation to accept or reject. It is a figment of his imagination.” The Centre has not only devolved taxes, but also given Rs 6,212 crore as 50-year interest-free loans to boost Karnataka’s capital expenditure as on December 11, 2023, he explained. Malviya further called Siddaramaiah’s expectation of 15 per cent growth rate in tax revenue a ‘joke and a lie’, given that Covid hit state GDP for two years.

The Karnataka CM ignored the life-saving mobility restrictions and uses a flawed indicator of tax performance, he noted.

Tax buoyancy is a better indicator to measure, which shows how tax revenue responds to GDP growth, Malviya said adding that it has soared from 0.72 before GST to 1.22 after it, proving GST’s positive effect on tax efficiency and compliance. ”His (Siddaramaiah’s) view is a deliberate distortion of the truth and an insult to the GST’s benefits,” the BJP leader said.

Pointing out that the devolution of funds to states is based on rational criteria, laid out in Article 280, Malviya said it ensures fair distribution of resources.

”Centre’s tax devolution to Karnataka has increased by 245.7%, reaching ₹2.82 lakh crore (under Modi Govt), compared to ₹81,795 crore under the UPA. This contradicts the false claim of financial neglect or adverse impact due to the revised tax share percentages,” he charged. The Centre’s Grants in Aid to Karnataka have also surged by 243 per cent, with Rs 2.08 lakh crore already released, compared to Rs 60,779 crore under the UPA.

The projected grants-in-aid by the end of Modi Govt’s term totals up to Rs 2.26 lakh crore, he added.

Alleging injustice to Karnataka by the central government with reduction in tax devolution, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had on Sunday said this has resulted in a loss of over Rs 45,000 crore to the state in the last four years.

He also claimed that the taxes paid by Kannadigas were not useful for the state’s difficult times, and the money was going to northern states.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

BJP calls Congress govt ‘laughing stock’ as ‘samosa politics’ heats up in Himachal

World Bunts Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 7

SC dismisses PIL seeking CBI probe into Tirupati laddus row

Salman Khan gets another threat; message sent to Mumbai traffic police helpline

SC overrules 1967 verdict holding AMU can’t be minority institution

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, editors of Kannada news portals booked for allegedly spreading fake news

Egg distribution scheme for school children under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement

Related Articles More

Chikkaballapur: Yoga teacher feigns death by holding her breath, escapes murder bid

Leopard spotted near M’luru airport, Forest Dept begins search operation

Mangaluru International Airport achieves record passenger & air traffic movement in October 2024

World Bunts Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 7

DK Child Protection Unit to conduct campaign to raise awareness of child trafficking

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

BJP calls Congress govt ‘laughing stock’ as ‘samosa politics’ heats up in Himachal

Chikkaballapur: Yoga teacher feigns death by holding her breath, escapes murder bid

SC notice to Centre on plea to include ayurveda, yoga in Ayushman Bharat

BJP wants to snatch ”Jal, Jungle, Jameen” from tribals, alleges Rahul at Jharkhand poll rally

Leopard spotted near M’luru airport, Forest Dept begins search operation

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.