Unjust 50% Share in Central Taxes: Non-BJP States Express Outrage at Niti Aayog Meet with PM Modi
NEW DELHI: In a dynamic meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) states voiced a range of demands, underlining their needs in areas like fiscal share and water disputes. Taking place under the theme “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047,” the conference highlighted the critical role of state governments in India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047, according to a Niti Aayog press release. Modi emphasized the necessity of collaborative efforts between the Centre and states, stating, “If Centre and states work together like Team India, no goal is impossible.”
Among the states participating, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Punjab took the spotlight, while West Bengal, Kerala, and Karnataka opted to skip the discussions. Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin made a notable demand, insisting on a 50% share of central taxes for states. He also urged the central government to disburse Rs 2,200 crore in pending funds related to the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, funds that have been withheld due to a lack of a memorandum of understanding concerning the “PM Shri” scheme. “The denial of these funds jeopardizes the education of children studying in government schools and those under the Right to Education Act,” he stressed. Stalin cautioned against future funding disputes that could impede both state and national development.
Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann brought forward his concerns regarding what he labeled as “step-motherly treatment” from the central government, particularly in light of ongoing water-sharing disputes. With Punjab facing a critical water crisis, Mann proposed examining the construction of a Yamuna-Sutlej-Link canal as a viable alternative to the contentious Satluj-Yamuna Link canal. He stressed Punjab’s historical claims to Yamuna waters based on a 1954 agreement with Uttar Pradesh, which allotted Punjab two-thirds of the river’s water. Mann also criticized the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at the Bhakra Nangal Dam, arguing that security has traditionally been managed by state authorities and that this federal interference disrupts established rights.
Telangana’s Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy proposed the establishment of a national task force aimed at unlocking the economic potential of India’s major metropolitan hubs, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Addressing the Niti Aayog governing council, Reddy emphasized that these cities are pivotal to India’s economic growth and stressed the need for an overarching framework focused on urban development and infrastructure investment. As the first Telangana chief minister in several years to attend this meeting, he presented the state’s vision for ‘Telangana Rising 2047’ as a contribution to the national goal of achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat.’
While the meeting laid the groundwork for essential discussions between the states and the central government, it also illuminated the distinct priorities and challenges faced by non-BJP states. The differing approaches to taxation, water distribution, and urban planning underscore the complexities of governance in a diverse nation striving for collective advancement as it approaches 2047. As India moves forward, the emphasis on cooperative federalism will remain crucial to achieving its ambitious development goals.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/50-share-in-central-taxes-step-motherly-treatment-what-issues-non-bjp-states-raised-at-niti-aayog-meet-with-pm-modi/articleshow/121382012.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-05-24 21:12:00
