'Every penny due to Karnataka given on time': Nirmala Sitharaman
30-Mar-2024She denied that there was any recommendation by the Finance Commission.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday rubbished the Karnataka government’s claim that the Centre was not releasing its due share of 'special grants' as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
She denied that there was any recommendation by the Finance Commission.
"The Karnataka government claims that Rs 5,495 crore special grant was not released to Karnataka and this is totally false. The Finance Commission did not recommend any such special grant in its final report," the Finance Minister claimed.
"I want to make it a point to tell you in detail that every penny that is due to Karnataka, every paisa that is due to Karnataka, is given, and given on time," Sitharaman said during a talk organised by Thinkers Forum, Jayanagar in the city.
According to the Finance Minister, tax devolution has increased under Prime Minister Narendra Modi between 2014 and 2024 by 258 per cent, which is 3.5 times more compared to the 10 years during the previous UPA rule.
"In these 10 years of BJP rule, the grants-in-aid have also increased to 273 per cent, which is 3.7 times more than what it was the previous 10 years," she claimed.
The Finance Minister said between 2004 and 2014, the money received by Karnataka per year was Rs 81,795 crore, which went up to Rs 2,93,226 crore from 2014 to 2024.
"Nobody's boasting that we've given this much or anything, but to be wrongly alleged, accused that you're not giving money due to Karnataka, I'm sorry, please look at the figures, look at the dates when the money was received and then tell us something, which is specific and right, so that I can respond and I will respond," Sitharaman declared.
