Nirmala Sitharaman Rejects Karnataka Fund Bias Claims, Attacks Congress Over 'Adani-Ambani' Charge

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rejected allegations that Karnataka had been neglected by the Centre, asserting that the state received significantly higher central funds than during the UPA years. She said Karnataka received nearly Rs 4 lakh crore in tax devolution between 2014 and 2026, around five times the amount allocated in the comparable pre-2014 period. The minister also highlighted grants-in-aid worth Rs 2.71 lakh crore and over Rs 18,000 crore under the Centre’s 50-year interest-free loan scheme. Referring to the Congress’ criticism of the Modi government’s ‘ties with two big industrialists’, Sitharaman defended the PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras, saying they benefit poor and middle-class citizens through affordable medicines, and criticised the Karnataka government for temporarily shutting some centres.