Bengaluru, September 3: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged the NITI Aayog to ensure that the state receives its rightful share of central funding. This appeal was made during a meeting with NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri at his official residence, ‘Krishna’, in Bengaluru.
Emphasizing the importance of cooperative federalism, the Chief Minister stated that both the central and state governments must work together for national interests, as the development of states is crucial for the overall growth of the country.
He remarked that collaboration is essential for the nation’s progress, asserting that development can only occur when states thrive. “Under the federal structure, states and the center need to cooperate with each other. After a long time, I had the opportunity to meet separately with the NITI Aayog. The NITI Aayog should extend all possible support to Karnataka,” he said.
Shivakumar highlighted that the nation has high expectations from Karnataka, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also recognized the state’s contributions. He mentioned that the NITI Aayog suggested developing a ‘Second Bengaluru’ and assured that the state would devise a proper plan by studying initiatives from other states.
“Karnataka leads the country in GSDP, per capita income, human development indicators, technology and innovation, foreign direct investment, exports, startups, and the IT service sector. The state boasts the best quality human resources in the country,” he added.
He pointed out that Karnataka produces approximately 160,000 engineers and about 13,000 doctors each year, with around 2.6 million IT professionals residing in Bengaluru.
Shivakumar noted that people from all parts of the country are moving to Bengaluru, contributing to the city’s growing population. This influx is placing increased pressure on the city. “We have developed several major projects to enhance the city’s infrastructure, which are at various stages of implementation,” he stated.
Regarding the distribution of central funds based on population, CM Shivakumar emphasized that southern states that have successfully implemented population control measures should not face disadvantages.
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