BJP-led govt. trying to subvert federal system — Tripura CM

Agartala, Nov. 7 (IANS): The BJP-led government at the Centre is trying to “destabilise” the country’s federal structure by switching over to a presidential form of governance, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said on Tuesday.
“The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to form a presidential form of government in the country,” Sarkar said at a public gathering here on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Russia’s November Revolution.
Sarkar, a Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member, said that the presidential government would destabilise India’s federal structure as well as the sprit of the Indian Constitution.
“The attempt of opting for the presidential form of government has been undertaken through the Niti Aayog,” the Chief Minister said.
The Niti (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has been formulating policies for the affluent and wealthy and to discontinue the Public Distribution System, MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme, withdraw subsidies, and sell profit-making Public Sector Undertakings, the Left leader said.
“Due to abolishing of the Planning Commission and setting up of the NITI Aayog, all states have been deprived of central funds. With an end to the Planning Commission, the process of consultation between the Centre and the states too has been discontinued, affecting Indian federalism,” Sarkar said.
The Chief Minister also claimed that the Goods and Services Tax had “destroyed” the country’s economy, particularly the cottage and small industries, agri-based economy and affected the poor and middle-class people.
“Contrary to central government announcements, GST system has increased prices of all essential items, including medicines. Without any preparation, the central government unilaterally announced demonetisation on November 8 last year as well as the GST, hugely affecting the common people,” he added.