Chalo Delhi protest: Over ₹1 lakh crore is due to State, says Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi

Karnataka ministers protest in Delhi, demanding over ₹1 lakh crore owed to the state by the central government.

Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi on February 7 said that the Congress government in the southern State is holding a planned protest here in the national capital as over ₹1 lakh crore due to them from the Centre.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar along with the State cabinet are here for a protest named Chalo Delhi in Jantar Mantar at 11 a.m. on February 7 against the central government's tax devolution policies to the State.

Mr. Siddaramaiah has accused the Central Government of economic disparities, saying that his government stands against the unfair treatment in tax devolution and grants for 'Kannadigas'.

While speaking to ANI, Karnataka Minister Jarkiholi said that the Central government should listen to their demands.

"Over ₹1 lakh crore is due to Karnataka. For this, we held meetings with the Union Home Minister, Union Finance Minister, but to date, we have not received our money. We are protesting for this. The government should listen as our demands are right. So many people have come with the Chief Minister, it is the duty of the Central Government to speak on this," Mr. Jarkiholi said.

He said that this fight is not against a party but for the justice of the state's people.

"The amount is of the last 10 years when there was a BJP government also in the State," he added.