FM Sitharaman denies Cong Government Accusations, Says Nothing Is Pending From The Center To Karnataka

The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the state’s drought assistance, which is due, would be decided upon by the high-power committee, according to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who said on Thursday that there is “nothing pending” from the Central government to Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters here, she said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood the importance of states receiving funding on schedule since he had served as a state’s chief minister for more than ten years.

“The accusations may be rejected by the state administration. He can write me a letter, but even before it gets to me, he can post it on social media or forward it to the chief minister or ministry. In answer to a query on the Congress government’s alleged delay in releasing Central funding to Karnataka, Sitharaman said, “And I say not just this in Bengaluru, I’ve even, two days ago, when I was in Kerala, I said that.”

“We have no outstanding issues with Karnataka; as a state representative, I too have obligations. Nothing is still outstanding. I will continue to wait for the paper to deliver it if the state fails to provide me the necessary document. I am unable to transmit money without the Accountant General’s approval. The Karnataka member of the Rajya Sabha said, “So that’s the truth behind any allegation, the allegation without facts in them.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said last month that the Karnataka state has suffered a loss of Rs 45,000 crore since 2020 as a consequence of the BJP-led Union government’s refusal to provide funding for 61 Centrally sponsored initiatives across 23 ministries and cutting Karnataka’s tax share.

Furthermore, it was reported on ‘X’ that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is purportedly the Rajya Sabha representative for Karnataka, had decided not to approve the Rs 5,495 crore special grant that had been promised. She further stated that “alarmingly, Karnataka receives just 15 paise for every rupee it contributes in tax.”

In response to a query on the distribution of NDRF funding to Karnataka in order to alleviate the drought, Sitharaman said, “There is a committee for NDRF.” It’s investigated by the Home Minister. I invited Karnataka’s Minister of Revenue, Krishna Byre Gowda, to visit me. Even then, I told him, “The money that gets decided upon will be—the state government has the authority to spend the money from the SDRF.”

She stated, “The technical team and assessment team came and made a team assessment, which they’ve submitted to the high-powered committee,” indicating that it’s not as if NDRF funding will not be forthcoming. When the committee makes its recommendation, funding will be provided. The state is to blame. No one will be able to stop it.”

According to NDRF guidelines, the Karnataka government has designated 223 of the state’s 236 taluks as being affected by drought. The state administration has been criticizing the Center on a regular basis for delaying the transfer of money intended to alleviate the drought.

The FM went on to say that in order for the farmers in north Karnataka to get some money right now, she has invited the ITC group to come and buy the stock that is currently with them. “Even that team has come.”

‘Jan Aushadi Kendra’ on Subedar Chatram Road was visited by Sitharaman today.

The FM said that Jan Aushadi Kendras are slowly gaining popularity among families throughout the nation, noting that the Prime Minister dedicated the historic 10,000th Jan Aushadi Kendra at AIIMS, Deoghar in Jharkhand to the nation. People in the middle class and lower socioeconomic groups are becoming more aware that a generic version of the same medication is just as effective.

People are able to save money because of Jan Aushadi Kendras, she noted, since certain medications have prices that are 70% or 66% lower. “A large amount of money remains in the hands of regular people. Individuals belonging to the middle class, lower middle class, and impoverished backgrounds will have more funds and time to dedicate to their children, elderly family members, and themselves.”

She went on to say that over 2,000 medications are already offered via these outlets and urged the people of Bengaluru to support the admirable goal of making medications accessible at reasonable costs. “It’s a great relief for the middle class, lower middle class and the poorer sections of our society.”