City
Epaper

Centre's attitude towards states 'very worrying': Punjab CM

By IANS | Updated: February 8, 2024 20:45 IST

New Delhi, Feb 8 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday joined the demonstration by his Kerala counterpart ...

Open in App

New Delhi, Feb 8 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday joined the demonstration by his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan against the Centre with his party chief and Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal here.

Addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar, Mann thanked Vijayan, saying that "he has taken important initiatives to save the Constitution, democracy and federal structure of the country".

He said at present the attitude of the Central government towards states "is very worrying".

"Budget session days are going on, today we would be sitting in our offices making our state budgets, but we have to come to Jantar Mantar for our rights."

Mann said Punjab is an agrarian state, and farmers of the state produce 182 lakh metric tons of rice every year and give it to the country.

"Still, the Central government is withholding Rs 5,500 crore of our Rural Development Fund (RDF). This fund is used to construct and repair the marketing yards and roads leading to them in the rural areas. We had to approach the Supreme Court in this matter."

He said on one hand, the Centre is withholding “our funds and on the other hand, the Governor appointed by the Centre creates problems for us in daily functioning and works of the government".

"Last time he declared the Punjab Assembly session illegal. Then we had to stop the session midway and go to the Supreme Court. There, on the very first date, the court reprimanded him and gave us permission to call the session," he said. In states where the BJP is not even in opposition, BJP governors act as Opposition, he alleged. "He writes a new letter to the government every day. I have never seen that the Governor of any BJP ruled states of Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh meddling in the works of government there or writing letters to any Chief Minister," Mann added.

Kejriwal accused the Central government is using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as its weapon.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalNorth Korea's Kim says participation in Russia's war against Ukraine justified

InternationalUS Secretary of State Rubio speaks to Pak Army Chief Asim Munir, offers US assitance to start talks with India

MumbaiMumbai: Three Booked for Abusing and Assaulting Sub-Inspector Outside Pydhonie Police Station

Navi MumbaiNavi Mumbai: Odd-Even Parking System to Be Implemented Near Luxus Tower in Kharghar From May 13

InternationalSouth Korea: People Power Party begins unprecedented process to replace presidential candidate

National Realted Stories

NationalIMF reimbursement to Pak will not help in de-escalation of hostilities with India: J&K CM Omar

NationalMissile-like object falls from sky in Balotara, drone debris found in Jaisalmer

NationalIndia Fires Ballistic Missiles at 4 Airbases in Pakistan After Drone Attacks

NationalPakistan closes airspace temporarily after India accuses it of using civilian flights as shields

NationalJammu and Kashmir: Additional Deputy Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa Killed, Two Staff Members Injured in Pakistan Shelling in Rajouri