Talking on the thirty first assembly of the council in Mahabalipuram, Shivakumar stated the South’s success in inhabitants management shouldn’t lead to diminished political illustration.
“We welcome the peace of mind that no southern state will lose seats. However illustration is just not solely about numbers; it’s about weight and voice,” he stated, including that the area’s financial contribution needs to be matched by its political voice.
Shivakumar stated the 1971 inhabitants foundation needs to be honoured and expressed confidence that different southern chief ministers would help the demand.
He additionally sought to delink ladies’s reservation from the proposed delimitation train, arguing that its implementation shouldn’t be delayed. “Girls have waited lengthy sufficient for his or her rightful illustration,” he stated.
Fiscal fairness
The CM additionally sought better fiscal equity from the Centre, arguing that southern states contribute disproportionately to the nationwide financial system and tax revenues.The 5 southern states account for a couple of third of India’s GDP whereas representing roughly a fifth of its inhabitants, he stated, describing the area as an “engine of the Indian financial system”.
Shivakumar highlighted Karnataka’s contribution to software program exports, international funding, aerospace, espresso and rising applied sciences.
On tax devolution, he stated Karnataka’s share within the divisible pool fell from 4.7% underneath the 14th Finance Fee to three.6% underneath the fifteenth, leading to an estimated lack of Rs 65,000 crore over six years.
He welcomed the rise to 4.13% underneath the sixteenth Finance Fee however stated Karnataka’s share ought to ultimately be restored to 4.7%.
“Karnataka is the second largest contributor to GST and to Revenue Tax, and a State that performs on development and income deserves to be incentivised, not penalised,” he stated.