Bengaluru — Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the Congress-led Karnataka government Sunday,saying the state got much more financial backing from Centre than it claims. At the Viksit Bharat Sankalpa Samavesha,she rejected allegations of neglect,stating Karnataka has seen a fivefold jump in tax devolution since 2014.
Sitharaman said Karnataka received Rs 4 lakh crore in tax devolution between 2014 and 2026, contrasting sharply with the Rs 82,000 crore during the five years before 2014 under Congress. In this financial year alone,she said tax devolution is Rs 63,000 crore,equal to 76% of what Karnataka got in a decade under the UPA.
Defending Centre's financial role,Sitharaman said grants-in-aid to Karnataka jumped to Rs 2.71 lakh crore from 2014 to 2026,compared to just Rs 60,000 crore during UPA years. She also noted an interest-free loan of Rs 18,000 crore since 2021, not required by Finance Commission but initiated by Prime Minister Modi for state capital investments .
She highlighted big jumps in Karnataka Railways' budget,now Rs 7,700 crore annually versus Rs 835 crore under UPA. 1,650 kilometers of new tracks laid,96.5% of rail network electrified. Ten Vande Bharat trains rolled out in state .
Infrastructure was a key point too. Sitharaman mentioned over 8,100 kilometers of National Highways built,seven 'Udaan' airports operational,new greenfield airports approved for Vijayapura and Hassan. Tumkur Industrial Node,a major Rs 7,000 crore project for Bengaluru-Chennai corridor, also noted.
Renewable energy initiatives got a nod, with Rs 1,354 crore for projects to make Koppal and Gadag green energy hubs by June next year. Sitharaman mentioned positive impacts of schemes like Jandhan, Mudra loans,Ujwala scheme on citizens' lives .
Sitharaman criticized Karnataka government for allegedly shutting PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which offer affordable medicines. Said disbelief they reopened only after High Court order,accusing state of trying to undermine Centre's efforts to help poor.
She ended by reaffirming PM Modi's commitment to cooperative federalism, calling all Chief Ministers part of "Team India." Urged state to focus on 'Viksit Bharat' mission,not "grievance politics." The claim Karnataka isn't getting its due,she argued, sows doubt about Centre's support…
