Modi discriminating against K'taka on NDRF funds: CM

'Kharif crop loss was pegged at Rs 4,702 cr but Centre granted Rs 1,685 cr'

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is discriminating against Congress-ruled states in providing funds for drought relief works.

Siddaramaiah addressed reporters after arriving at the Mysore Airport in Mandakalli on Wednesday to attend the Congress conference in Nanjangud and Gundlupet.

“When I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking more funds to tackle drought, he did not respond positively. Though the 14th Finance Commission recommended enough funds, the Union government cut the funds for several centrally-funded projects,” he said.

“States is reeling under severe drought but the Prime Minister has been discriminating in providing necessary funds under the National Disaster Relief Funds (NDRF). Centre has released only Rs 1,375 crore for Karnataka, whereas Maharashtra has received Rs 7,000 crore and Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh Rs 4,000 crore each. States smaller than Karnataka have received more funds,” he added.

“We had requested the Union government to sanction an aid of Rs 4,702 crore for kharif crop loss but the Centre sanctioned only Rs 1,685 crore. For rabi crop loss, the state has demanded Rs 3,310 crore but it is yet to receive funds for the same,” the chief minister said.

‘State in favour of GST’
Siddaramaiah said that the state government supports Goods and Services Tax (GST), an indirect taxation in the country which merges most of the existing taxes into a single system of taxation.

When asked about Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat demanding a ban on cow slaughter across the country, Siddaramaiah said that it’s all a hidden agenda of BJP leaders.

“We are not bothered about his demands as we already have the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act,” he said.
Reflecting over the results of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) elections, Siddaramaiah said that the Congress had only some hopes that the party would improve its position in Delhi but it’s the Aam Aadmi Party which has received a jolt. AAP had great hopes of winning a majority of the seats, he said.