Karnataka to Move SC Over Centre’s Rs 2,186-Cr Grant Dues: Khandre

Bidar:The Karnataka government has decided to move the Supreme Court against the Centre’s withholding of Rs 2,186.20 crore in grants meant for gram panchayats under the 15th Finance Commission recommendations, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Bidar in-charge Eshwar B Khandre said on Thursday.

Khandre took the decision after holding a meeting with Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty and senior officials in Bengaluru to examine the legal options available to the state.

The minister expressed displeasure over the Centre’s refusal to release the amount allocated to Karnataka’s gram panchayats for 2025-26.

The issue assumes significance with several parts of the state facing water shortages following deficient rainfall this year. According to the government, drinking water problems have been reported in 710 villages, with tanker supplies being arranged in 149 villages. The authorities have also hired 561 private borewells to meet the requirement.

The meeting also discussed the difficulties faced by farmers in drought-affected areas, including reports of sown seeds failing to germinate. Khandre and the officials examined the legal grounds on which the state could challenge the Centre’s decision to withhold what Karnataka considers its rightful share of Finance Commission funds.

Meanwhile, the government is preparing to conduct elections to gram panchayats, taluk panchayats and zilla panchayats whose terms have expired.

Khandre said the elections had been delayed as government employees were deployed for SIR-related work. The government was now fully prepared to conduct the gram panchayat polls and would issue a preliminary notification shortly, he said.

The minister also discussed the legal aspects of holding the elections with the Advocate General and Panchayat Raj Department Secretary D Randeep.