Karnataka CM calls on FM, seeks special Rs 5,495 cr grant

New Delhi, Sep 17 In the wake of Karnataka facing a severe resource crunch due the Covid pandemic, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Thursday urged the Centre to accept the 14th Finance Commission's recommendation for a special grant of Rs 5,495 crore to the state on account of reduced devolution.

Yediyurappa, who is in New Delhi to take part in the bhoomi pujan (ground breaking ceremony) of the Karnaktaka Bhavan, called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and asked her to accept the recommendation made by the 14th Finance Commission.

In a memorandum submitted to Sitharaman, he said that the state had received only Rs 869.40 crore as a performance grant against recommendation of Rs 2,100.25 crore to urban and rural local bodies.

He also requested that a balance amount of Rs 1,230.85 crore be released.

Extending his gratitude for timely release of funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, Yediyurappa sought early release of outstanding material dues of nearly Rs 665.09 crore and unskilled wage dues of Rs 54.65 crore.

He also appealed to the Union government to notify an additional 50 days under the scheme as Karnataka was facing an unprecedented situation.

( With inputs from IANS )