Karnataka CM unable to allot funds for guarantees: Bommai

BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said Karnataka would receive Rs one lakh crore more under the 15th Finance Commission and accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of blaming the Centre for the fiscal stress caused by the “guarantee” schemes. 

Bommai, a former chief minister, said Siddaramaiah is unable to allocate funds for the guarantee schemes. He was reacting to Siddaramaiah’s statement Friday accusing the Modi administration of giving Karnataka a raw deal. 

“PM Modi increased devolution to states from 32% to 42%. Siddaramaiah is aware of this, but deliberately conceals it,” Bommai said. 

Reacting to Karnataka’s demand that vertical devolution must increase to 50%, Bommai said: “Even we are in favour of this.” Bommai claimed that five Congress ministers who appeared before the 14th Finance Commission did not advocate the state’s case effectively. “They’re now trying to cover up their mistakes. If Karnataka is facing injustice, it’s because of Congress,” he said. 

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra on Saturday claimed that the Congress government’s decision to conduct a new Social and Educational Survey (caste census) was aimed at creating confusion and diverting attention away from the June 4 stampede that killed 11 people.

“Siddaramaiah had said that he would implement the 2015 caste census report despite opposition,” he said. “Ultimately, they (government) won’t be able to do anything on this issue, because the Centre has already announced caste enumeration in the next Census,” he added.