CM Siddaramaiah criticises Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for failing to deliver Rs 5,300 crore for the Bhadra Project, alleges Centre withheld pensions and development funds for two years while taking credit for state-funded schemes
Bengaluru: In a scathing indictment of the Central Government’s alleged neglect of Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today lambasted the Centre and Union Ministers, accusing them of denying the state crucial funds, including Rs 5,300 crore promised for the Bhadra Upper River Project.
Speaking at the State-level DISHA Committee meeting held at the Vidhana Soudha, the Chief Minister expressed deep frustration over what he called a systematic denial of financial support from the Union Government.
“Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced Rs 5,300 crore for the Bhadra project, but till now, not a single rupee has reached Karnataka,” the CM said, adding,
“Despite my personal meetings with her twice, the Centre continues to ignore Karnataka’s rightful demands.”
CM Questions MPs’ Silence and Accountability
Turning his ire towards the state’s own Members of Parliament, CM Siddaramaiah questioned their silence in Delhi and urged them to take collective responsibility.
“Why did our MPs not speak even once in two years on behalf of the state? Do not try to escape your responsibility,” the CM warned.
He challenged BJP MPs from Karnataka to explain their failure to secure funds for the state, despite repeated representations and letters sent to the Centre, which he read aloud during the meeting.
Pensions and Projects: Funds Withheld for 2 Years
In a revelation that has sparked outrage among state officials, the Centre has not released pensions due to Karnataka for the last two years. According to meeting officials, the Centre owes the state Rs 5,665 crore in pensions, but has released only Rs 559 crore so far.
“The central government is not able to give even this small amount. Why has this been kept pending for two years?” CM Siddaramaiah asked sharply.
He also pointed out the contradiction in the Centre’s behaviour:
“Most of the projects funded by the state government are being labelled under the Prime Minister’s name. We bear the cost, they take the credit,” he said.
“But when it comes to centrally sponsored schemes, they don’t even release our share of the money.”
Rs 11,495 Crore Denied Under 15th Finance Commission
The Chief Minister further highlighted that under the 15th Finance Commission, Karnataka was due a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore, including allocations for lake development and the Peripheral Ring Road, totalling Rs 11,495 crore.
“Despite contributing Rs 4.5 lakh crore in taxes, Karnataka receives no proportionate financial support,” Siddaramaiah asserted.
“Yet the Centre blames us for a lack of development funds. This is hypocrisy.”
Mounting Frustration and Political Pressure
With development projects stalled, pensions unpaid, and budgetary promises unmet, the CM’s blunt remarks have stirred the political cauldron in Karnataka, setting the stage for a Centre vs. State showdown.
Political analysts view this outburst as a strategic move by Siddaramaiah to expose Central apathy and pressure Karnataka MPs, especially from the BJP — ahead of key budgetary decisions.
"We wrote to the Centre, to the Prime Minister, to all relevant ministries. None of them responded. This is not governance, it is discrimination," the CM concluded.
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