Hassan, Dec 6 (NationPress) Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Saturday that the state is projected to experience a loss of approximately Rs 12,000 crore this year due to reduced GST collections.

“We had anticipated tax revenue of Rs 1,26,000 crore. However, we are facing a shortfall of Rs 12,000 crore, and achieving even Rs 88,000 crore will be challenging due to the decline in GST collections,” he stated during a media briefing in Hassan.

While criticizing Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for questioning his contributions to the Ahinda communities, the Chief Minister challenged Kumaraswamy on his parliamentary role, asking why he has not raised concerns about GST collection.

“Instead of questioning my efforts for Ahinda, has he ever addressed the issue of GST collection in Parliament?” he remarked.

The Chief Minister highlighted that Karnataka suffered significant losses in GST revenue from September to November 2025.

“Since the introduction of GST by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017, taxes have been levied on the public. However, the Central government has caused states to incur revenue losses by reducing GST rates mid-financial year. All states, except for Kerala, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, have also noted a decline in GST collection,” he added.

Siddaramaiah criticized Union Minister Kumaraswamy for failing to advocate for the revenue loss. He stated, “The Union Finance Minister had budgeted Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project, which the previous state government also acknowledged, yet the funds have yet to be released by the Centre.”

He mentioned that the Cauvery Water Management Authority has still not approved a significant state project.

“This is a disservice to the people of Mandya,” he remarked.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister asserted that the state government has allocated Rs 1,08,135 crore for guarantee schemes, ensuring that benefits are directly deposited into beneficiaries' accounts without intermediaries.

He recalled that Prime Minister Modi had previously suggested that implementing guarantee schemes would be unfeasible and that Karnataka would face bankruptcy if they were enacted.

“Yet, we successfully implemented them,” Siddaramaiah stated.

Responding to Kumaraswamy's critiques regarding his support for Ahinda communities, Siddaramaiah claimed to have played a pivotal role in their organization.

He further urged Kumaraswamy to clarify his contributions to Mandya, the region he represents in the Lok Sabha.

Ahinda represents a coalition of minorities, backward classes, and Dalits.

Siddaramaiah emphasized his significant involvement in organizing Ahinda communities and highlighted the numerous guarantee schemes and welfare initiatives aimed at laborers, the impoverished, Dalits, minorities, and women's empowerment.

“Kumaraswamy comes from a farming background—what are his actual contributions to the farming sector?” he challenged.

Addressing the Supreme Court’s concerns regarding the delay in implementing women’s reservation, Siddaramaiah stated: “Our government has consistently advocated for women’s reservation in Parliament and the Legislature. Why is the Centre postponing it when it should be implemented immediately?”

He asserted that the government operates transparently. “Let the opposition propose a no-confidence motion. We are prepared for it. Our administration is like an open book, ready to confront any challenges,” he affirmed.

The Chief Minister stated that the government is committed to addressing human-wildlife conflicts seriously.

When questioned about former minister K.N. Rajanna's comment that “there is no Congress without Siddaramaiah,” the CM chose not to respond.

In response to inquiries regarding the murder of a Congress worker in Chickmagalur over a banner dispute, Siddaramaiah assured that action would follow legal protocols. “I will confer with the district authorities,” he concluded.