Rs 18,948 crore at stake: Poll delays put Karnataka's central funds in jeopardy

Published On : 2024-11-22T10:50:59+0530 [ IST ] | Author : Mayur_Tembhare
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BENGALURU: Karnataka faces a severe financial setback as prolonged delays in elections forzilla panchayats (ZPs), taluk panchayats (TPs) and urban local bodies (ULBs) including theBruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, jeopardize its eligibility for central grants.

Of the total grant, Rs 12,539 crore is earmarked for rural local bodies (RLBs) and Rs 6,409 crore for ULBs distributed in a 65:35 ratio. However the Union Finance Ministry has withheld Rs 2,842 crore or 15% of the 2023-24 allocation citing delays in local body elections.

Issue across various sectors

local bodies

The elections for BBMP pending since September 2021 and for ZPs and TPs overdue since May 2022 remain stalled while polls for Shivamogga Mahanagara Palike and Mysuru City Corporation were only completed in Nov 2023 and Tumkur and Davanagere city corporations face deadlines in

We could not claim funds for ZPs and TPs since these local bodies don't exist after their councils' tenure expired. Efforts are under way to facilitate elections and we are committed to ensure the polls at the earliest

"The only way to avail this fund is to ensure pending polls for the local bodies before March 2026. I hope things will fall in place," Narayanaswamy said.

Anti-incumbency risk for congress govt

For Congress govt the ZP-TP elections pose significant political risks. Widely regarded as the semi-finals of assembly elections these cover all districts and could amplify antiincumbency sentiments amid allegations of corruption.

The Karnataka State Election Commission has filed a contempt petition in the high court against the state govt for failing to notify reservations for ZP-TP constituencies following delimitation. The high court is scheduled to hear the case on Nov 27 while the Supreme Court will address a petition

As we have filed a contempt petition against the govt related to the ZP-TP polls we are going to request the high court to pass an urgent order. We are hopeful of a favourable ruling and are well prepared to conduct the elections at the earliest

The Congress government is often critical of the BJP-led Union government for allegedly withholding state’s rightful share of funds. The outcome of the upcoming legal hearings and the govt’s actions will be critical in determining whether Karn

Source : Reporters From Sunrise Chronicles

Tags : Feb , Finance Commission , Union , May , Meanwhile , Supreme Court , Congress , localtp elections pose significant political risks , March , Nov ,

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