The state government on Saturday urged the Centre to address Karnataka's "shrinking fiscal space" in the Union Budget 2026-27, stating that the state is under mounting pressure due to GST changes, rising social commitments and rapid urbanisation. Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, on behalf of the state government, handed over a representation to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Union Pre-Budget Meeting for 2026-27 in Delhi today. In a release issued by the Chief Minister's Office, Gowda said, "Karnataka is a major contributor to national growth, but is facing shrinking fiscal space amid GST changes, rising social commitments, climate shocks, and rapid urbanisation. States' responsibilities have expanded faster than their revenues, necessitating corrective fiscal measures in Budget 2026-27." The minister also flagged the fiscal and employment impact of replacing the demand-driven Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the ..