'Congress With Those Who Want Tukde Tukde Of Country': FM Sitharaman On K'taka Govt's Protest

In response to the claims made by the state government, Sitharaman, accompanied by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, refuted the allegations, labeling them as "outrageously false". 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi during a press conference.

Source : PTI Images

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised the Congress-led government in Karnataka, alleging a "separatist" mindset and the dissemination of a "false narrative" regarding fund allocation by the Centre to states. The statement from Sitharaman follows a protest led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other Congress leaders at Jantar Mantar, where they claimed "injustice" in the distribution of taxes and delayed drought relief.

In response to the claims made by the state government, Sitharaman, accompanied by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, refuted the allegations, labeling them as "outrageously false". 

Sitharaman expressed strong objection to an advertisement placed by the Karnataka government in national dailies to highlight their allegations against the central government, deeming it reflective of a "separatist mindset" aligned with those advocating for the country's division.

"These claims come from a separatist mindset. The Congress is with those who want 'tukde tukde' (break) of the country," she said claiming that the advertisement promotes such a language.

She asserted that no Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation was pending for the state, challenging the assertions made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and colleagues.

#WATCH | Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, "Using taxpayers' money, the Government of Karnataka has given full-page national newspaper advertisements...Six claims...but two are outrageously false claims...One, zero has been given as drought, disaster relief by the… pic.twitter.com/NEDJb13HXN

— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2024

Citing the remarks of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's brother, MP D K Suresh, who suggested the possibility of "South India seeking a separate country," Sitharaman accused the Congress party of endorsing such sentiments.

Providing figures on funds allocated to Karnataka, Sitharaman dismissed the state government's claim of non-receipt of a recommended special grant of Rs 5,495 crore from the 15th Finance Commission. She clarified that the recommendation was not part of the final report and highlighted the provision of an interest-free loan of Rs 6,279.94 crore for 50 years to the state.

Sitharaman affirmed that the devolution of taxes and grants to Karnataka adhered to the Finance Commission award without any discrimination. Comparing the 15th Finance Commission period to the 14th, she indicated a higher total devolution to Karnataka despite the pandemic-induced drop in revenue.

Addressing the Karnataka government's claims on cess and surcharge, Sitharaman labelled them as "misleading and self-serving," noting that a significant portion of the cess collection benefits the states through GST compensation.

Refuting the state government's allegations of losses due to the 15th Finance Commission, Sitharaman termed them as "factually full of errors" and "politically motivated". 

She clarified that there is no pending GST compensation amount for Karnataka, as the compensation period concluded in June 2022.

On the issue of funds for drought relief, Sitharaman asserted that the Centre has already allocated the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), and additional relief is provided upon the submission of a memorandum by the state.