Karnataka CM hints at positive developments regarding central grants

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar indicated that he received ‘good news’ from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding the state’s long-pending central grants following a GST Council meeting. While Shivakumar declined to provide specific details immediately, he noted that the discussion regarding the dues was positive.

During the meeting, Shivakumar also advocated against the proposal to register criminal cases and arrest business owners for GST non-payment. He argued that enforcement should mirror Income Tax Department protocols, focusing on the recovery of outstanding dues rather than unnecessary arrests. He stated that almost all participating states supported Karnataka’s position on this matter.