Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Apr 14: A political storm has erupted in Karnataka over alleged delays in the release of panchayat funds and prolonged deferment of local body elections, with SDPI state president Abdul Majeed accusing both the central and state governments of administrative failure and weakening democratic institutions.

Addressing a press conference in Mangaluru, Majeed said untied grants meant for gram panchayats—typically released in four instalments without utilisation restrictions—had not been disbursed even once in the current financial year. “Despite approved action plans and completed departmental works by grama panchayats, not a single rupee has been released till the end of March,” he said.

He claimed that nearly 6,000 gram panchayats across Karnataka are facing severe financial stress due to the delay, estimating that pending allocations range between Rs 2,100 crore and Rs 3,000 crore.

According to him, each gram panchayat is expected to receive over Rs 50 lac on average, but funds remain withheld or are not being transferred efficiently.

Majeed alleged that Karnataka’s share of Rs 2,133 crore under the 15th Finance Commission has not been released by the centre, adding that the funds were to be disbursed in four instalments.

He further claimed that the Commission has cited delays in conducting taluk and zilla panchayat elections, along with irregular fund release mechanisms, as reasons for withholding allocations, terming the situation a “blow to democracy”.

He also raised concern over the prolonged delay in local body elections across the state. Elections to taluk and zilla panchayats have not been held since 2019, while polls to grama and town panchayats have been delayed after the expiry of their terms. Similarly, elections to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have reportedly not been conducted for nearly six years. “This is a serious setback to democracy,” he remarked.

Calling for urgent corrective action, Majeed said both the previous BJP government (2019–2023) and the current Congress administration had failed to resolve the crisis. “If there was genuine commitment, such a situation would not have been allowed to continue,” he said, alleging a systematic weakening of local governance structures.

He questioned the silence of Karnataka’s elected representatives, including its 28 members of Parliament, asking why the issue had not been effectively raised in Parliament. He also pointed out that states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu had already received their central grants despite political differences with the ruling party at the Centre, asking, “Why is Karnataka being denied funds?”

Criticising representatives across parties, he named several leaders for their lack of response and demanded that elected members act collectively in the interest of the state. He further called for an all-party meeting to resolve the crisis, stating that political leaders often unite on salary and allowance revisions but remain silent when local governance institutions are under strain.

Majeed also urged the government to follow the Kerala model and immediately conduct overdue local body elections, stressing that the absence of taluk and district administrations should not hinder fund allocation since gram panchayats remain functional. He further criticised the state government for not holding Greater Bengaluru elections for nearly six years.

On political developments in the state, he referred to Davanagere South constituency, alleging that Congress lost support after not fielding a Muslim candidate, which led voters to back SDPI.

He accused the Congress of weakening minority leadership and criticised the lack of disciplinary action against certain leaders despite allegations of misconduct, while questioning whether action would be taken against senior leader Naseer Ahmed.

Majeed also announced the formation of a Young Democratic Youth Wing in Mangaluru, with a committee to be constituted within 15 days. He expressed confidence that SDPI would make electoral gains in Davanagere with support from diverse sections of the electorate, including some Congress workers.

Leaders Riyaz Kadambu, Anwar Sadath Bajathur, Attaullah Jokatte, and Ashraf Addoor were present at the briefing.