Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will meet Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Tuesday to request a special central grant of ₹50,000 crore for Bengaluru’s infrastructure overhaul. Accompanied by top finance department officials, Siddaramaiah will present a detailed proposal highlighting the city’s deteriorating infrastructure and the burden imposed by its rapidly growing migrant population.
Economic advisor to the CM, Basavaraj Rayareddi, noted that nearly 40% of Bengaluru’s population comprises migrants who, while contributing to tax revenues, often have their contributions retained by the Centre or redirected to their native states. Karnataka, he argued, is left to shoulder the cost of public services for these residents. The proposed grant will target key issues such as traffic congestion, housing shortages, inadequate water supply, and poor public transport.
Siddaramaiah is also expected to raise broader fiscal concerns, including a demand to restore Karnataka’s share in central taxes to 4.1%, as recommended by the 14th Finance Commission. Under the current 15th Finance Commission, the state’s share was cut to 3.6%, which Siddaramaiah’s team claims has negatively impacted the state’s development capacity. The CM will also seek compensation for unfulfilled promises made under earlier commissions and advocate fair treatment in the upcoming 16th Finance Commission.
Sources indicate Siddaramaiah may also seek an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meet other Union ministers during his stay. He will call on President Droupadi Murmu to discuss several pending state bills, including one granting 4% reservation for Muslims in civil contracts, among others.