Centre compelling states to form policies according to its desires: Sisodia

NEW DELHI: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday said the Centre is compelling states to form policies according to its desires, thus damaging the federal structure.

His remarks followed a NITI Aayog memorandum cutting down the Central government’s share in centrally sponsored schemes.

Sisodia was replying in the House ‘Calling Attention’ (Rule-54) which was invited by Kailash Gahlot on the Policy of NITI Aayog in formulation and implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, which are allegedly against the federal structure as laid down in the Indian Constitution.

“It is clear that now the centre is running away from shouldering its responsibility,” Sisodia said. Elaborating, Sisodia said that the August 17 memorandum declared that the share of the Central government in centrally sponsored schemes would be 60 per cent in core schemes and 50 per cent in general schemes. He said earlier it was 80 per cent in centrally sponsored schemes. Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has recently expressed her anguish on functioning of NITI Aayog and alleged that the Central government was compromising on the federal structure of the country.

“It’s a reform of the planning in India. We have learnt a lot from the pre-existing Planning Commission of India but its shortcomings are addressed in the new body. The NITI Aayog is a model which includes merits of Planning Commission minus its shortcomings. Besides, it also includes the best experiences from other development models,” said Vijendar Gupta, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly. Gupta, however, walked out of the House and did not participate in the discussion. “AAP government is doing non-constitutional work by not tabling CAG report on advertisement in the House,” he added. He also alleged that the government was not performing on her promises but engaged in publicity only.