AGARTALA, Aug 15 (TIWN/IANS): Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Monday said the central government was trying to snatch all powers of the state governments and trying to force the states to beg for aid.

"The central government has been continuously trying to grab and snatch the powers of the state governments. Efforts are also on to turn the states into beggars," Sarkar said after unfurling the tricolour at the Assam Rifles ground here.

"If the central government continue to grab the remaining powers of the states, there will not be any federal structures in the country. Democracy will weaken.

"Currently there are two Indias - one for the rich and another for the poor people. The central government is working for the millionaires."

The 70th Independence Day was observed across the northeastern state, with a variety of colourful functions and programmes, including sports and cultural events.

The Chief Minister said 77 to 80 per cent people in India were poor and 30 to 35 per cent people do not write their name while 20 to 25 crore people, mostly youths, have no jobs.

He said instead of moving ahead in industry and agriculture, India had been moving backward due to faulty policies of the central government.

"Rights of working class people are being taken away, prices of essential commodities are constantly rising and the central government is taking anti-people steps. 

"Despite the states' repeated demands, the central government is not giving powers to deal with hoarders and black marketers."