Kerala cabinet's protest against Modi government in Delhi today
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Left Front government will stage a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Thursday against the Centre's alleged "injustice" to the state in fund allocation. This comes a day after Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah-led Congress government staged a protest at the same venue on the issue. The Kerala government's protest will receive support from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MPs, with Tamil Nadu CM and DMK supremo MK Stalin already endorsing Vijayan's Delhi protest.
Why does this story matter?
In recent years, several southern states have voiced criticism against the tax devolution policies of the Narendra Modi government, citing loss of tax revenue. As they protest in Delhi, discussions arise about southern states forming an alliance to demand their "rightful share" in taxes devolved by the Centre and protest the "fund allocation disparities," the Indian Express reported. The issue gained momentum after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Budget last week.
Protest intends to safeguard constitutional rights of all states: Vijayan
On the eve of the agitation, Vijayan addressed a press conference saying that the protest intends to safeguard the constitutional rights of all states, not just Kerala. "Social welfare and development expenditure in the state has been hampered due to financial constraints created by the unconstitutional approach of the central government," Vijayan said, per Indian Express. He added that the non-Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states coming together or a so-called southern alliance shouldn't be viewed as a north-south divide.
What are the southern states demands from Centre
On Wednesday, during the protest at Jantar Mantar, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said, "We are asking for our rights, we are asking for our share." Karnataka is demanding Rs. 1.87 lakh crore from the central government in losses reportedly incurred by the state under the 15th Finance Commission. Meanwhile, Kerala claims it has lost Rs 1.08 lakh crores between 2016 and 2023.
Centre's response to allocation controversy
In response to the allegations of unfair fund allocation, Sitharaman has said that "devolution to states happens as per the Finance Commission recommendation." She has no "discretion" over tax revenue allocation, she added. Finance Secretary TV Somanathan also said that financial allocations to states follow uniform guidelines, leaving no room for discrimination. The ongoing Parliament session has seen numerous debates on the issue, with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury even alleging that non-BJP states were "deprived of their financial dues."
Union minister's hits out at Left government, Congress
On Thursday, Union Minister V Muraleedharan launched a dual attack, criticizing both the ruling Left Front in Kerala for mishandling the state economy and making baseless accusations against the center, and the opposition Congress for losing the trust of the people. "If Left Front believes the Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) is misleading the House, I challenge the Left Front MPs to move a breach of privilege in Parliament," he said.
