His statements come ahead of the state Congress unit's protest in New Delhi against the Union government’s alleged injustice to Karnataka.
Published Feb 06, 2024 | 1:47 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 06, 2024 | 1:47 PM
Amit Malviya. (amitmalviyabjp/Facebook)
BJP’s IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya on Tuesday, 6 February, hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for raking up the North-South divide and said it was a typical characteristic of Congress leaders, who are trusted allies of the “Tukde Tukde” gang.
His statements come ahead of the state Congress unit’s protest in New Delhi under the leadership of Siddaramaiah against the Union government’s alleged injustice to Karnataka regarding tax devolution and grants-in-aid.
Taking to the micro-blogging site X, Malviya said Siddaramaiah should examine the funds Bengaluru gets versus the regions like Kalyana Karnataka and Kalaburagi.
“Does he care about the unfair treatment of Bengaluru? This approach (raking up the North-South divide) to politics is deplorable and is a typical characteristic of Congress leaders, who are trusted allies of the ‘Tukde Tukde’ gang,” the BJP IT cell chief said.”
“Tukde Tukde” gang is a phrase used by the BJP to refer to alleged sympathisers of separatists.
Such tactics not only undermine unity but also pose a significant risk to social harmony, he cautioned.
According to Malviya, Siddaramaiah’s demand for ₹5,495 crore special grant was a ‘lie’. “The 15th FC did not recommend Special Grant to any state. There is no such recommendation to accept or reject. It is a figment of his imagination.”
The Union government has not only devolved taxes but also given ₹6,212 crore as 50-year interest-free loans to boost Karnataka’s capital expenditure as of 11 December, 2023, he explained.
Malviya further called Siddaramaiah’s expectation of a 15 percent growth rate in tax revenue a “joke and a lie”, given that Covid hit state GDP for two years.
The Karnataka chief minister ignored the life-saving mobility restrictions and used a flawed indicator of tax performance, he noted.
Siddaramaiah’s expectation of 15% growth rate in tax revenue is a joke and a lie, given that Covid hit state GDP for two years. He ignores the life-saving mobility restrictions and uses a flawed indicator of tax performance. Tax buoyancy is a better indicator to measure, which… https://t.co/X8co18MwaH
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) February 5, 2024
Tax buoyancy is a better indicator to measure, which shows how tax revenue responds to GDP growth, Malviya said adding that it has soared from 0.72 before GST to 1.22 after it, proving GST’s positive effect on tax efficiency and compliance.
“His (Siddaramaiah’s) view is a deliberate distortion of the truth and an insult to the GST’s benefits,” the BJP leader said.
Pointing out that the devolution of funds to states is based on rational criteria, laid out in Article 280, Malviya said it ensures fair distribution of resources.
“Centre’s tax devolution to Karnataka has increased by 245.7%, reaching ₹2.82 lakh crore (under Modi Govt), compared to ₹81,795 crore under the UPA. This contradicts the false claim of financial neglect or adverse impact due to the revised tax share percentages,” he charged.
He also claimed that the Union government’s Grants in Aid to Karnataka have also surged by 243 percent, with ₹2.08 lakh crore already released, compared to ₹60,779 crore under the UPA.
The projected grants-in-aid by the end of Modi government’s term totals up to ₹2.26 lakh crore, he added.
Alleging injustice to Karnataka by the Union government with a reduction in tax devolution, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had on Sunday said this has resulted in a loss of over ₹45,000 crore to the state in the last four years.
He also claimed that the taxes paid by Kannadigas were not useful for the state’s difficult times, and the money was going to northern states.
(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)
