Siddaramaiah submits charter of demands to PM Modi, seeks Centre’s aid for key projects

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday submitted a detailed five-page memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining a series of demands and seeking urgent intervention from the Union government on key development issues.

The memorandum was handed over after the Chief Minister received the Prime Minister at HAL Airport in Bengaluru during his visit to the state to attend a programme at the Adichunchanagiri Math.

In his memorandum, Siddaramaiah highlighted Karnataka’s contribution to the national economy across sectors such as information technology, manufacturing, agriculture and services. He said that despite being a major contributor to the national exchequer, several long-pending issues concerning the state require immediate central attention.

Among the key demands was the revival of the proposed railway coach factory in Kolar, for which the state has already allocated 1,123 acres. He also sought inclusion of the Bengaluru–Mysuru stretch in the proposed high-speed rail corridor to improve connectivity.

The Chief Minister urged early release of central funds for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project and called for the launch of the Bengaluru–Mumbai high-speed rail corridor. He also requested the release of Rs 17,554 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission and Rs 2,860 crore in pending grants to gram panchayats, as recommended by the Finance Commission.