Daijiworld Media Network - Benglauru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 18: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, sought to allay the notion that Karnataka has faced injustice at the hands of the centre as far as central grants are concerned. "We have neither done injustice to Karnataka nor discriminated against. Under the 15th finance commission, Karnataka will receive Rs 2.03 lac crore rupees," she stated.

Speaking to media persons after interacting with industrialists about the pro-people budget on Monday, she insisted that Karnataka has not faced any injustice either in finance commission, GST loss compensation, pending National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme funds, suburban train etc.

She said that in the 14th finance commission, Karnataka had got Rs 72,209 crore. It will get Rs 2.03 lac crore in 15th commission. This is 178 percent more than the previous one, she pointed out.

She said that shortage in release of GST share has affected nor only Karnataka, but other states too. She said that because of sluggish GST collection, the government did not have enough money to distribute share in compensation. She said that a share in the compensation was released during October and November, and the balance amount would be released soon in two instalments. She said that Rs 7,300 crore was released last week to urban local bodies in Karnataka, while the officials clarified that there are no pending dues to Karnataka under NAREGA scheme.

She said that the central government is committed to support Bengaluru suburban train project in which 20 percent each out of total project cost of Rs 18,600 crore is met by the centre and the state.