Jairam Ramesh raises crucial questions ahead of PM Modi's Bengaluru visit

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit Chikkaballapur, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has raised crucial questions regarding the central government's response to Karnataka's pressing issues.

Ramesh questioned the delay in releasing Rs 18,000 crores allocated for drought relief in Karnataka. He highlighted that 223 out of 236 talukas are facing drought conditions, with 196 taluks severely affected.

The Karnataka government had sought these funds in September 2023, but the Centre's decision was delayed beyond the mandated one-month period under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

He flayed the Modi government's 'indifference' towards the needs of the drought-affected farmers, emphasising the severe repercussions of the delayed relief funds.

The senior Congress leader also raised concerns about the delay in releasing Rs 1,600 crores for wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Karnataka.

Despite the state government's request to extend the working days from 100 to 150 due to drought conditions, the Modi government has not approved the extension or released the pending wages.

Ramesh questioned the government's commitment to supporting rural employment and alleviating economic distress among MGNREGS workers in the state.

Highlighting the fiscal injustice faced by Karnataka, he pointed out the state's loss of 1.87 lakh crores during the five years of the 15th Finance Commission. He cited the reduction in Karnataka's share of central taxes and duties from 4.7% to 3.6% as evidence of the Modi government's unfair revenue-sharing policies.

Ramesh raised concerns about the intentional design of cesses to avoid sharing revenues with states, accusing the Centre of centralizing power at the expense of fiscal decentralization.

Concluding, he said the central government's response to these pressing issues will be closely watched by stakeholders and citizens alike.