CM calls Amith Shah's allegations as 'hit & run' case

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Saturday, described BJP president Amit Shah's allegations against the state government of misusing the Union government funds as a case of 'hit and run'.

He was speaking to reporters at the helipad here, on his arrival to inspect various development works ahead of the Mahamastakabhisheka. "The Union government should provide funds to the state, as it is allotted by the Finance Commission. We (state government) are not begging for funds with the Union government," the CM said.

"The Centre should provide funds in two forms - one is funds and the other is cess. The Union government collects tax from state governments in different forms and the Finance Commission decides the state's share once in five years. As per the 14th Finance Commission's recommendations, the Union government should give 42% of the tax collection and Karnataka should get Rs 1.86 lakh crore from the Union government in five years. So, the state should have received Rs 96,000 crore in the last three years. The Union government is yet to release Rs 11,000 crore," the CM explained.

The state collects taxes on sales, excise, petrol, and diesel and the Union government collects all other forms of taxes. Without knowing the facts, Amit Shah is criticising the state. Shah should provide evidence for the lapses of the state government, he said.

Continuing his attack on BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, the CM said, Yeddyurappa, who was imprisoned for irregularities, is depressed as he has no power. Thus, he is making baseless allegations against the state government, he said.