AGARTALA, March 28 (TIWN): Modi government decision to replace the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog is a regressive step that will only push India towards a market-driven economy, the CPI (M) claimed on Friday. Besides, talking to the reporters at the party headquarter CPI (M) state secretary Bijan Dhar expressed his displeasure over the Central Govt.’s decision of excluding the state Tripura from Special Category State.

He said that this has left the state to get deprived from receiving special funds for the development. “The exclusion of the state from the special category state has resulted to dilute all sorts of central facilities and opportunities here in the state,” Dhar said.Bijan Dhar today talking tough on the exclusion of the state Tripura from a special category state, said that the central govt. had either withdrawn a couple of central schemes from the state or has planned to change or decrease the ratio of share for the state govt. here.

Dhar also mentioned that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has written to Prime Minister Narenda Modi recently demanding that the state should continue to enjoy the 'special category' tag and to review of the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.

He also mentioned that the state demanded 50 per cent share of the central taxes, but the 14th Finance Commission has fixed it at 42 per cent and added, though it has brought a positive change to the state, said Dhar. He said due to abolition of the Planning Commission the state would face huge paucity of funds in different sectors.

Bijan Dhar said the status of special category state for Tripura was withdrawn as a result of which the state would be deprived of many facilities. The abolishment of Planning Commission would cost a dear for the state like Tripura. Dhar said the CPI (M) has supported the letter written to Modi where CM seeks Rs. 17, 700 crore for the next five years as a special grant to manage the expenditure gap.

However,  it is mentionable here that Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha earlier announced that CM during his recent visit to Delhi has given a letter to the Prime Minister following review of the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. Sarkar, in his letter, mentioned that the state demanded 50 per cent share of the central taxes, but the 14th Finance Commission has fixed it at 42 per cent and added, due to abolition of the Planning Commission the state would face huge paucity of funds in different sectors, Saha said. 

The minister said the status of special category state for Tripura was withdrawn as a result of which the state would be deprived of many facilities.