AGARTALA, Jan 22 (TIWN): State-Centre relation, which is now a days often discussed during various meetings, conferences, political rallies in Tripura. But what does this State and Central relation means ? Does it means the relation between PM Modi and Manik Sarkar ? Or the Central Govt and Tripura’s common men via railway development or other similar developments ? According to the ruling CPI-M party in Tripura the Central Govt has seized the power from states and left no chance for raise voice for funds and all other issues. Raising fund issues, the main problem with NITI Aayog is said by CPI-M politburos that funds has been slashed, the subsidy has been decreases, special category is no more and NITY Aayog left no space for ‘bargaining’.In the similar way PWD Minister Badal Choudhury during Statehood day celebration at Rabindra Bhawan said that during Congress Era, when Badal Choudhury was the then Finance Minister he was always given a chance for placing his view and to bargaining.

  “It was a time when out of bargaining Tripura Govt has recived Rs. 3200/- crores of Extra fund, but after NITI Aayog State Tripura has been brought under the same row of other developed states, leaving no space for demands at all. He further mentioned about NREGA’s fund slashing, which was a way for poor people’s livelihood.

However, after delivering his speech, it was Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy who replied all the queries to Minister Badal Chowdhury. Roy said, “Planning Commission was nothing but a mimicry of Soviet Union’s Economy and due to the poor economic condition the country has been destroyed”. “Apart from that during Pay Commission was there in India for a long time, Tripura Govt failed to develop the state, so what was the result of Pay Commission. As a result, the decision of NITI Aayog was a correct decision, which I personally believe”.  He also criticized MGNREGA, which is making people disable by giving temporary job without much hardwork, rather the state Govt should try how to make the people to stand on their feet.

It’s worthy to mention here that central Govt has no option other than slashing funds as CPI-M Govt. failed to submit utilization report to the Central Govt. After NITI Aayog raised questioned over proper Utilization of funds, Tripura CPI-M’s main opponent is now NITI Aayog. CPI-M claimed, “Due to the adoption of a new policy at the Centre, Tripura lost Rs 1,356 crore in 2015-16”. However, NITI Ayog was asked by PM Modi to make a vision document & also to create road map for India’s development for the next 15 years.

Targeting NITI Aayog Tripura CM said on Sep 21st at NE Industry Summit, “What has NITI Aayog done for Tripura?” NITIAayog may be beneficial for other states, but not for Northeast. In reply NITI Ayog member Bibek Debroy made it very clear what is NITI Aayog’s work actually as per the guideline of Central Govt. Debroy said, “NITI Aayog’s work is just to monitor. Developed states are known for their strengths. So state govt.’s first duty is to upgrade own strength". "We have many projects which can be utilized, as SMART City, project for Agriculture, Skill Development. “We have dashboard about how many villages are connected with mobiles. How much the quality of roadway. We have monitoring power of Education, water, electricity & everything”, said Debroy.

However, after NITI Aayog’s monitoring CPI-M is under tremendous pressure as drawing central funds have not been so easy now.  CPI-M crying that central government has stopped funding under normal central assistance, special plan assistance and special central assistance. Besides, the fund flow under some major schemes has got reduced by Rs 314.72 crore during 2015-16.