BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah posted a series of tweets on Sunday morning in an effort to deflate Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah's question on Karnataka's finance and expenditure.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Responding to Shah's question, who had asked for a low down on where did the Congress spend the funds from 14th Finance Commission, Siddaramaiah wrote, “Why did Congress deprive people of Karnataka the 14th FC funds? Is that the question? The ignorance displayed by the BJP & it’s President the #ShahOfLies is deliberate.”


He went on the explain that delegation of funds is Centre's duty to states and a right of all states. “It is not a gift of UPA or NDA. This has been the practice since 1950,” he wrote.


“I have presented 5 budgets with a total outlay of about 9,00,000 crores. This outlay is funded by FC grants, own tax revenue and borrowing.


“Where did the money go? The answer is it went into irrigation, schools, hospitals, roads & highways, railway lines, crop insurance, farm loan waiver & the list goes on. Account for every rupee is presented before the legislature. The leader of Opposition Jagdeesh Shettar is aware,” he added.


 



Counter-attacking BJP, the Chief Minister asked, “Was the Karnataka BJP sleeping for 5 years? Did they sleep through the 15 Legislature sessions where all these accounts were presented, debated & approved?” adding that “You (Amit Shah) are not only insulting the people of Karnataka by these silly question you are insulting your leaders of opposition in two houses Shri Jagdeesh Shettar & Shr K.S. Eshwarappa. What you are saying they didn’t do their job asking for these accounts.”


Giving a low-down on the increase in funds sanctioned 14th Finance Commission, the Congress leader said, “About increase from 88583cr to 219506cr, you are comparing 2 different periods. Due to inflation & tax growth,revenues rise by 10-15% every year. Plus devolution % was changed from 32 to 42%. But center reduced its share of central schemes. So, it is an apple to orange comparison.” 



Earlier, at a public rally in Karnataka, Shah had said, “Under the UPA government, Karnataka got Rs 88,583 crore in the 13th Finance Commission while, the BJP led government gave the state Rs. 2,19,506 crore in the 14th Finance Commission. It's the right of the people of Karnataka but why did Congress deprive them of it?”



Karnataka polls are scheduled to be held in a single phase on May 12 and the counting on May 15. 
While Siddaramaiah-led Congress is eyeing a second term in the state, BJP wants to spread its wings to the 22nd state