Centre usurping States’ powers: KCR

Hyderabad: In what was perhaps the most hard-hitting, fact-packed, sans rhetoric speech yet, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday laid bare the BJP government’s brazen moves to upstage the States and weaken the federal structure of the country through its policies, particularly on the fiscal front. “As per the Constitution, India is a union […]

Hyderabad: In what was perhaps the most hard-hitting, fact-packed, sans rhetoric speech yet, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday laid bare the BJP government’s brazen moves to upstage the States and weaken the federal structure of the country through its policies, particularly on the fiscal front.

“As per the Constitution, India is a union of States. But the present union government’s actions are aimed at depriving powers vested with the States, and this poses a serious threat to the federal system,” the Chief Minister said, in his 90 minute speech after presenting the Telangana Appropriation Bill in the State Assembly here.

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More importantly, Chandrashekhar Rao didn’t shrug from wearing his concern for the nation on his sleeve when he sought debates in State legislatures across the country on the various policies of the BJP government at the Centre. “All legislators irrespective of party affiliations should discuss this issue,” he said, and urged intellectuals too to come together and trigger a debate across the nation to protect the rights of the State.

This again is perhaps the first time that a Chief Minister of a State has come up with a suggestion that at once embraces the true spirit of federal structure even as it demands the right to question the union government on its decisions that are against Constitutional obligations. “These moves by the Centre at undermining the powers of the State should be opposed since it will lead to undesirable consequences in the future,” he added.

The Chief Minister, pointing out that Telangana, still at a nascent stage, had far outstripped the BJP government at the Centre in performance on every parameter. “Fiscal prudence, transparency, efficient debt and financial management and zero tolerance towards corruption have been the hallmark of the Telangana’s economy in the past eight years and this has placed the State on the high pedestal it is now,” he said.

Not holding back any punches, Chandrashekhar Rao, who reserved 50 per cent of his speech time to tear into the Centre, said attempts by the BJP government to push for a ‘strong Centre, weak States’ policy will not do any good for the country. Despite all the odds, Telangana’s performance has been than the nation, be it in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), Per Capital Income or any other parameter.

Chandrashekhar Rao, observing that there was not much scope for divergence between Centre and States in certain areas like fiscal policies, said the BJP government was making all attempts to stifle the States with its undesirable policies. Citing an example, he said the Centre recently denied States from taking up works for public purposes in forest areas by reducing the extent of land usage permission from five hectares to just one hectare. “Recently, people from Wanaparthy sought development of a small road which passes through the forest area. But we are not in a position to address the issue due to the Centre’s belligerent action,” he said, expressing his anguish.

Accusing the BJP of spoiling the conducive atmosphere in the country with its politics of hatred which hinders the country’s growth, the Chief Minister said if Telangana was able to attract investments across sectors, it was because of the healthy and peaceful ecosystem the State government had created. An atmosphere of unrest is sought to be created in the name of ‘hijab’. “What is this Hijab controversy? He stated that attempts were being made to create similar atmosphere in Hyderabad to deter investors and talent from working in the city. He advised the youngsters to remain cautious against falling prey to this extremist behaviour as their future was under threat. “People voted the NDA government to power over the previous UPA government seeking development. But the BJP government proved to be worse. The country’s growth rate has gone for a toss and fell from eight to six per cent,” he added.

“Incidentally, the union government’s economic performance has been disastrous when compared to Telangana. As on Tuesday, the Centre’s debt percentage was 58.5 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and as a result, the Centre’s debts amount to Rs 152 lakh crore. While it has restricted the borrowings of State to four per of FRMB including 0.5 per cent that will be allowed only if States follow certain reforms, the Centre can borrow upto 6.9 per cent of the FRMB. “Why is the Centre not following the rules which are applicable to States?” Chandrashekhar Rao questioned.

Further, he said Telangana’s GSDP increased from Rs 4.5 lakh crore to Rs 11.5 lakh crore. During the same period, India’s GDP increased from Rs 124 lakh crore to Rs 236 lakh crore. Telangana’s growth rate was 38.75 per cent which was more than the country’s overall performance. “If the nation’s performance matched Telangana’s, the State’s GSDP would have increased upto Rs 14.5 lakh crore since it is linked to the country’s performance. For us to progress at a faster pace, the Centre should also perform well,” he added.

The Chief Minister stated the financial progress of the country took a beating much before the Covid-19 pandemic and blamed the divisive politics of the BJP which ruined the conducive atmosphere for investments and development. “Unemployment rate has increased and the financial condition of the poor has turned worse. While GDP was on the decline, several industries pulled down shutter. If there is any growth, it is only in religious fanaticism which is now threatening the decades of progress the country had made,” he said.

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