“State governments have been ‘bulldozed’ by Centre in the name of cooperative federalism. We are fighting the battle,” Mamata Banerjee added in the meeting.
At a meeting called by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Opposition Chief Ministers agree to lead a united fight against centre’s move to hold JEE/NEET examinations in September. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee urged all the chief ministers of states to together move Supreme Court to postpone NEET, JEE examinations saying students were not prepared.
“The exams are in September. Why should the lives of students be put at risk? We have written to the PM, but there has been no response,” Banerjee said in a meeting attended by Uddhav Thackeray, Hemant Soren, Amarinder Singh, Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, V Narayanswamy.
Echoing the Banerjee’s demand, Sonia Gandhi said, “Students’ problems and exam issues were being dealt with uncaringly by the Centre.”
Gandhi, in this virtual meeting, also hit out at Narendra Modi’s government for its inability to compensate states on GST.
“It is nothing short of betrayal by Modi government to states and their people,” Gandhi stressed.
Targeting the recent National Education Policy drawn out by the government, Gandhi said, “The National Education Policy a setback to secular and scientific values and reveals insensitivity of the government.”
“State governments have been ‘bulldozed’ by Centre in the name of cooperative federalism. We are fighting the battle,” Mamata Banerjee added in the meeting.
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren expressed similar views saying: “The ruling party is using agencies against the opposition and undermining the federal structure.”
Pointing out the reason to call the virtual meet, Sonia Gandhi said: “There are a number of issues related to centre-state relations and since parliament is expected to meet in less than three weeks, I thought we should have an interaction so that we can have a coordinated approach. GST compensation seems to be a big issue. GST compensation being paid to states on time according to laws passed by parliament is crucial. But it is not happening. Dues have accumulated and finances of all the states are badly affected.”
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh also voiced similar concerns. He said his state may face a revenue deficit of ₹ 25,000 crore this year.
“We have spent nearly ₹ 500 crore. We’re in a situation where the finances of our states are completely down. Centre has not paid GST compensation. I agree with Mamata (Banerjee) ji that we should collectively meet the Prime Minister,” he said referring to Mamata Banerjee’s suggestion that the CMs should jointly speak to the Prime Minister.
Jharkhand CM, while voicing his concerns over holding exams on the scheduled time, cited the example of both his parents being coronavirus positive.
“Exams must happen, but we are hurrying up. In my state, we have very few centres. To accommodate these students, we will have to open all hotels and buses. Chances of contracting COVID will be higher. The Centre must help by taking more time. Otherwise, the Centre will blame states all over again if something goes wrong. We will have to jointly raise these issues,” the Jharkhand CM said.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray stressed on the necessity of fighting the centre together.
“We have to decide whether we want to fear or fight the government. The people who that elected the BJP at the centre also elected all of us. But if we do something it is paap (sin) and if they do anything then it is Punya (virtuous)?” the Shiv Sena supremo said.
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