Bengaluru, Dec 4 – Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge dragged the issue of Ram Temple in Ayodhya while addressing the issue of five free guarantees raised by Infosys Founder NR Narayan Murthy at Bengaluru Tech Summit.
“Under the 15th finance commission, for every Rs 100 that Kannadigas are paying, we are not even getting back Rs 18. The same thing, some in UP and MP are paying, they are getting Rs 180, Rs 127. No problem. In a federal structure we are ready to share. Let our brothers and sisters get it.
“But what are they (central government) doing with it? Are they building schools? Are the adding value? Are they building roads? No. Are they ruining the country from Ayodhya?” Priyank questioned.
He made these remarks when he was asked about revenue loss due to implementation of the guarantees, which Murthy also had hinted. The Infosys Founder had said that the freebies services should be given in return of something from the beneficiaries.
“We can (mop reveunes despite implementing guarantees), and we should. There are a lot of revenues that have not been tapped. And, DyCM (DK Shivakumar) and CM (Siddaramaiah) have put up a small unofficial consultancy to find ways to increase revenues by other means,” Priyank said at a press conference on the closing day of Bengaluru Tech Summit here on Friday.
Priyank also clarified that it is not because of the guarantees that the state is revenue deficit, but due to the pathetic economic policies of the central government.
“We need to understand that it is not because of the guarantees that we are revenue deficit. Has one finacial year gone without the guarantees? Only two to three months have elapsed. How are the opposition is saying that.
“Because of their fault, we (Karnataka) did not get our GST reimbursement on time. We had to take a loan. Whose fault was that? Was it Siddaramaiah’s? The pandemic was mishandled. Whenever they wanted they imposed travel ban and opened it up. Because of the pathetic economic policies of the central government, we are suffering.
“The 15th Finance Commission. What happened to that? We suffered. Was it because of Siddaramaiah? For evey 100 rupees, what Kannadigas are paying, we are not even getting back 18 rupees. The same thing some in UP and MP are paying, they are getting 180 rupees and 127 rupees. No problem. In a federal structure we are ready to share. Let our brothers and sisters get it.
“But what are they doing with it? Are theY building schools? Are they adding value? Are they building roads? No. Are they doing service to the country in Ayodhya?” he asked.
In January, Priyank also had slammed Union Minister Amit Shah after he announced the date of Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya. He asked Shah to focus on keeping deadlines for filling job vacancies amid soaring unemployment in the country.
“Good to know that Ram Mandir will be ready by Jan 1 next year. Requesting PM @narendramodi& HM @AmitShah to set deadlines not just for the temple but also for filling up Govt job vacancies & getting the economy on track. After all Ram Rajya means peace & prosperity for all,” he had Xed.
