Press : Congress propaganda to derail BJP’s Team India approach exposed

09-06-2015
Press Release
 

PRESS RELEASE

Congress Propaganda to derail BJP’s Team India approach exposed

After its confrontational federalism agenda lost out to BJP’s co-operative federalism, Congress indulges in plain lies!

Congress’ claims on decreased fund transfer to states demolished!

  • In a historic departure from the past, the NDA Govt at the Centre accepted the 14th Finance Commission’s recommendations despite strong objections from officers in key ministries. States would get 42% share of central tax revenue as compared to 32% earlier. Though, this naturally leaves far less money with the Central Government, the Government of India has taken the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission in a positive spirit as they strengthen and provide autonomy to States in designing and implementing schemes as per their priorities and needs. This is an unprecedented increase, which would empower States in all possible ways - they would be allowed to chalk-out their programmes and schemes with greater financial strength and autonomy, while observing financial prudence and discipline.

  • Talking about the 14th Finance Commission and the benefits to Congress ruled states, Assam will gain an additional Rs 6,696 crore in 2015-16 which is an increase of 49% from 2014-15. Karnataka will get an additional Rs 8497 crore in 2015-16 which is an increase of 48% from 2014-15. Kerala will get an additional Rs 8912 crore in 2015-16 which is an increase of 92% from 2014-15. Uttarakhand will get an additional Rs 8274 crore in 2015-16 which is an increase of 124% from 2104-15. Arunachal Pradesh will get an additional Rs 5399 crore in 2015-16 which is an increase of 278% from 2014-15. (Refer Annexure 1)

  • While these figures are self-explanatory, Congress has been trying to misguide the public by saying that their states would face a loss due to decreased plan transfers. This is not only unfortunate but also an insult to the genuine efforts of NDA Govt to truly empower the states. It is true that outlay of centrally sponsored plans has been reduced, but this was a necessary step after devolving extra funds to the states, in order to keep the fiscal deficit in check. The schemes which have their outlay reduced are those which were unproductive, having huge leakages and prone to corruption. But the reduction in outlay of centrally sponsored schemes is marginal when compared to the increased devolution of funds.

  • While the total taxes and grants transferred to the states increased by Rs 2,03192 crores, the reduction in transfers for centrally sponsored schemes is only Rs 63,240 crores, which is a net gain of 1,40,000 crores to the states.

  • Congress ruled states like Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh are the biggest net gainers from this increase in fund transfer by the Central Govt with gains between 35% to 50%. Other Congress ruled states have also gained significantly.

  • Co-operative Federalism has been NDA Govt’s guiding mantra. Congress in the past never believed in the concept of federalism and did its best to disrupt the constitutional frame-work of federalism.

 

Back-Ground

  • For years, the Central Govt used a big brother approach to deal with states. It is the NDA Govt which considers states equal partners in development journey.

  • Earlier, states had to prostrate before the Planning Commission for funds & Centre Govt acted as if it was doing a favour to them. The NDA Government changed this approach radically with the NITI Aayog. It stops the ‘One Size fits all’ strategy and treats the states according to their needs. NITI Aayog has many sub committees with various CMs as the head for effective de-centralisation and empowerment Chief Ministers to take important decisions. But again it was a Congress CM Shri Siddaramiah who refused to head sub committee on Swachh Bharat.

  • In a never before seen move, the PM invited all CMs to 7 RCR & openly discussed various issues in a very casual setting. Did we ever see such a sight before?

  • In all major endeavours, NDA Govt has given importance to the states and taken them along. UPA could not get GST cleared because of the discriminatory approach. NDA took into account the concerns and issues of states and got them on board.

  • While earlier there were massive scams and hence no question of redistribution of resources earned through natural resources, the situation has changed remarkably. NDA Govt conducted the most successful coal auctions in history of India and a major share of the money earned goes to the states, which shall help them in various endeavours. Such an approach is not only unprecedented, but massively empowers the states.

  • In the Land Boundary agreement with Bangladesh, all stake-holders were taken on board.  CMs to Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram consulted and duly thanked as well. All the States have non BJP Governments. 

  • Even on the Land Acquisition Bill, the NDA Govt heard the voice of Congress CMs who expressed their views on drawbacks of the bill. Policy prevailed over tokenism.

  • In a novel initiative PM Modi was accompanied by two Chief Ministers on his visit to China. They participated in a landmark initiative: The Provincial Leaders Forum. This will usher in a new era of state to state co-operation. It was the Congress CM of Karnataka who chose petty politics over welfare of the state and refused the invitation to accompany the PM.

  • A shining example of co-operative federalism was also seen with PM inviting Mamta Banerjee to Bangladesh and sharing stage with her at all events inspite of being political rivals in West Bengal.

To Write Comment Please Login