From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 15: In a no-holds barred attack, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused BJP of betrayal of Karnataka and lambasted Union Minister V Sommanna of ‘peddling lies to cover up Centre’s deliberate sabotage of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in allocation of funds’.
Presenting a point-by-point rebuttal of Somanna’s charge that Karnataka has not utilised the funds under Jal Jeevan Mission, Siddaramaiah said the total allocation for the State under JJM was Rs 49,262 crore, which comprised of Central share of Rs 26,119 crore and State’s share at Rs 23,142 crore.
However, the Centre did not release even half of its promised share of Rs 26,118 crore and actually released Rs 11,760 crore, while the State had spent almost 90% of its share of Rs 23,142 crore by spending Rs 22,442 crore.
The chief minister, in a post on X, contended that ‘every rupee released by the Centre has been fully utilised by Karnataka! But the Modi government continues to block funds and deny Karnataka its rightful share!’
He pointed out that in Financial Year 2024-25, the Centre allocated Rs 3,804 crore and released barely Rs 570 crore.
“The neglect and injustice to Karnataka continues. Despite writing multiple letters, no further funds have been released! Karnataka, on the other hand, has released Rs 4,977 core from its own budget against an allocation of Rs 7,652 crore.
“This is not just Karnataka. BJP’s failure is national,” he said, claiming that the budget estimates for JJM in FY 2024-25 was Rs 70,163 crore for the country and it was slashed to Rs 22,694 crore in the revised estimates.
“The Narendra Modi government is systematically killing JJM while BJP leaders like Somanna shamelessly spread misinformation!” he said with a pointed poser: “Instead of misleading people, Somanna should question Narendra Modi on why Karnataka is being deprived of its due funds.”
The chief minister said; “The Congress Government in Karnataka is delivering results despite BJP’s sabotage! We are committed to ensuring safe drinking water for every household while the BJP-led Centre continues its step-motherly treatment of our state!”