Kerala Finance Minister targets Central Government, Centre’s financial discrimination a challenge to cooperative federalism
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Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal said that the BJP-led central government’s financial discrimination with Kerala is not just a political issue but also poses a big challenge to cooperative federalism. Along with this, Balagopal urged the Central Government to ensure fair treatment to all the states including Kerala. Balagopal said, “The central government’s financial discrimination against Kerala is not just a political slogan, but a question of cooperative federalism and it is the duty of the central government to protect the interests of the states.”
The Kerala Finance Minister, who has consistently challenged the current Central government for alleged discrimination against Kerala on financial matters, said the issue of financial discrimination is now being raised by Karnataka and other non-BJP ruled states as well. These states are feeling strangulated at the hands of the Centre. When Balagopal was asked whether the Centre’s alleged discrimination against states on financial matters would become a poll issue for the opposition alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said, “It is more than a political issue. This is a question of cooperative federalism.” His statement came in the context of a case filed in the Supreme Court by the Kerala government, seeking direction to the Center to release its fair share of tax revenue.
Balagopal said, “Now everything depends on the decision of the apex court. The central government has deprived us of many things, as a state we have been deprived of our rights. Finance is essential for development.” However, he expressed hope that the Kerala government would get a very positive outcome from the apex court. The matter is going to be heard soon and the State is hopeful that the interests of the people of Kerala will be protected.
Disclaimer: IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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