Bengaluru/New Delhi, Oct 2 (NationPress) Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Civil Supplies Pralhad Joshi announced on Thursday that following the introduction of the next generation GST reforms, the Central Government has offered a festive gift of additional tax devolution to all states, including Karnataka, in celebration of Dusshera and Diwali.

While addressing reporters in Delhi, Union Minister Joshi remarked, "In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, the Union Finance Ministry has disbursed a total of Rs 1,01,603 crore in additional tax devolution funds to all 28 state governments, including Karnataka."

This significant decision made during the festive occasions of Dusshera and Diwali has led to the release of an advance installment of tax devolution to aid all states. Karnataka's share from this allocation amounts to Rs 3,705 crore, he highlighted.

The Central Government's release of this advance tax devolution installment aims to boost capital expenditure in the states and provide necessary financial support for development and welfare initiatives. Joshi confirmed that this total amount of Rs 1,01,603 crore was released to all 28 states late Wednesday night.

This additional tax devolution will be dispensed alongside the standard monthly allocation scheduled for October 10.

He urged state governments to utilize these funds wisely for developmental projects.

Farmers in Karnataka have faced severe challenges due to heavy rainfall, resulting in significant crop damages across regions such as North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka.

In response to this situation, the Centre has provided support price benefits for a variety of crops. He called upon the state government to ensure that these benefits reach the farmers effectively.

A few days prior, the Centre directed procurement at support prices for tur, urad, soybean, and groundnut specifically to benefit farmers in Karnataka.

The government has also raised the support prices for several crops, including pulses, for the upcoming rabi season, to offer relief to farmers, he stated.

For the upcoming rabi marketing season, the Centre announced record-high minimum support prices for wheat, safflower, barley, masoor (lentil), mustard, and gram.

Union Minister Joshi emphasized the need for the state government to ensure that farmers in North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka fully benefit from this support.