Nirmala Sitharaman debunks CPM narrative of central govt denying financial assistance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman didn’t hold back any punches as she unapologetically criticised the state government on Saturday. The Minister said that those who have followed the Finance Commission's instructions have been properly given grants and if Kerala has not received it, it is because they have not followed the instructions. Nirmala Sitharaman has thus ended the constant state government accusation of the central denying financial assistance to Kerala.

“The state government was asked twice to submit the documents related to the transfer of central grant but we received nothing,” said Nirmala Sitharaman. The Union Minister's reply came at a time when the state government was preparing to protest in Delhi alleging that the central government had withheld the grant. Nirmala Sitharaman was speaking at a program in Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram.

Nirmala Sitharaman tore apart the government for the recurring farmer's suicide in the state. The minister also clarified that if paddy is procured from the farmers, they should be paid through the account and that is what the central government is doing. The minister also debunked the campaign going on in the state that the central government is not paying the share, which she stated was a lie.

“Central allocation for disbursement of widow and old age pensions has also been provided up to the month of October as per the applications. No application has been received since then." The minister also raised the allegation that Kerala is changing the name of the projects after receiving the central government's share. The minister said that accurate figures need to be obtained through the AG to get GST compensation.