Centre playing politics over 15th finance commission's terms

Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda today alleged that a "desperate" BJP at the Centre was playing politics over Terms of Reference of the 15th Finance Commission.

"BJP has been desperate of late. They have been questioned by the people of the country over their onground performance," the minister said.

"And hence, I infer, they have brought out Terms of Reference of 15th Finance Commission to weaken non-BJP ruled states in terms of funding," he told reporters here.

He said ToR would lead to progressive states getting lesser allocation for 2020-25 period.

On the other hand, states that were lagging in governance and responsibility to deliver socio-economic services would be rewarded by grants from 15th Finance Commission, he argued.

The 14th Finance Commission had decided on the percentage of financial devolution and grants-in-aid, taking the 2011 census as the basis for central assistance.

Gowda said tax devolution was a constitutional right of the states and "it is not a knob in the hand of the central government to open and close as it pleases."
Asked whether Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu finance ministers were participating, Gowda said he is not updated on it, "but Andhra Pradesh FM has shown positive signs."
Asked whether Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh had intimated the government about the consultation meeting with it in the second week of this month, he said, "We are expecting an intimation, which is its duty to intimate."