Jairam Ramesh accuses Centre of taking revenge with Karnataka after BJP lost 2023 Assembly polls

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 27 (ANI): Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking revenge on Karnataka by depriving of funds from the Centre and attempting to scuttle the state government's welfare schemes ever since BJP lost in the 2023 Assembly Elections.
"Ever since Mr. Modi was rejected decisively by the people of Karnataka in the 2023 Assembly Elections, he has been hell-bent on taking his revenge," Ramesh posted on X.
Ramesh's reaction came after the Centre agreed to release Rs 3,498.82 crore drought relief fund to Karnataka after the Supreme Court's intervention.
"Today, after the Karnataka Government dragged the Modi Government to the Supreme Court for failing to provide drought relief, the Union Finance Ministry finally agreed to release Rs. 3,498 crores to Karnataka's farmers," he said.
The Congress leader alleged that PM Modi tried to sabotage the Anna Bhagya food security scheme of the Siddaramaiah government in the state.
"First, he tried to sabotage the Anna Bhagya food security scheme. @INCIndia's Government was unshaken and launched a direct cash transfer scheme for the 4.49 crore beneficiaries," he said.
"Second, he cut off funds to Karnataka. Between April 2023 - when he lost - and January 2024, total central transfers to Karantaka have declined by 23%. Central grants have fallen by 56%. Third, it delayed the legitimate drought relief funds due to the farmers of the state. 223 out of 236 Talukas in Karnataka are facing drought conditions, with 196 taluks being categorised as severely hit. As early as September 2023, the Karnataka government had approached the Modi Sarkar to release funds of Rs 18,172 crore for drought relief. It was delayed for months," he added.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah thanked the Supreme Court on Friday for ordering the release of over Rs 34 lakh drought relief assistance from the Union Government for the 2023 Karnataka drought.
He added that it was perhaps the first time in the history of India that a state was driven to the Supreme Court to get its rights enforced.
"After persistent efforts and an appeal to the Supreme Court, we've secured Rs 3,498.82 crore in drought relief from the Union Government. I wish to thank the Hon. Supreme Court. This is perhaps the first time in the history of India that a state was driven to the Supreme Court to get its rights enforced. It's regrettable that we had to wait since September 2023 for a response," Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.
The Karnataka Chief Minister, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the monetary assistance, stating that the Karnataka government had requested Rs. 18,000 crore but received only Rs. 3,498.98 crore.
"The office of the Home Minister finally woke up after the Hon. Supreme Court rang the bell. Finally, some justice has been done to our farmers. However, the sanction is woefully inadequate. We had asked for Rs 18,000 crores and we have got 3498.98 crores!" Siddaramaiah added in the post. (ANI)