Centre usurping federal principles: 22 opposition parties

NEW DELHI: Leaders of 22 opposition parties, including three CMs, on Friday rejected the Centre’s economic package, terming it as grossly inadequate and demanded the Centre announce a comprehensive ‘real stimulus’ package. Their joint declaration accused the Centre of unilaterally usurping federal principles in tackling Covid-19 and lockdown and demanded direct cash transfer and distribution of free grain to the poor besides sector-specific initiatives. They also demanded the Centre present a clear exit strategy, consult states on resumption of flights and provide enhanced financial support to states. They called for restoring functioning of “parliamentary oversight and parliamentary committees” and rejected the contentious labour laws.
While Sonia Gandhi’s and Rahul Gandhi’s addresses said the Centre’s strategy to fight Covid-19, including lockdown, were “complete failure”, and referred to rising infection as proof, the joint statement of parties avoided such conclusions. Apparently, some CMs, especially Udhhav Thackeray, sensitive to challenging administrative tasks was appreciative of the Centre’s cooperation to Maharashtra’s fight against Covid-19. He said the “next 15 days will be crucial” on how Maharashtra emerges out of the pandemic and pointed out that wherever non-BJP parties are in power, they face BJP’s protest and criticism, it is learnt. Mamata Banerjee is also learnt to have complained that the Centre was non-cooperative with Bengal sometimes, it is learnt.

The joint statement said the Centre should “present a clear and meaningful economic strategy focused on revival and poverty alleviation instead of propaganda. The Rs 20 lakh crore package and its contents mislead the people of India. We demand that government present a revised and comprehensive package...”

Other demands included “direct cash transfer of Rs 7,500 per month to all families outside the income-tax bracket for six months, with Rs 10,000 immediately and balance in five equal instalments in the remaining five months, free distribution of 10 kg grain to all needy individuals for next six months, increase in the number of MGNREGA work days to 200 and necessary budgetary support”. They also sought free transportation of migrant workers to their native places, immediate arrangements to rescue overseas Indians, provide accurate and relevant information on Covid-19 infections and goalposts vis-à-vis testing, infrastructure and containing spread. “Reverse all unilateral policy decisions, particularly the annulment of labour laws. Procure immediately rabi harvest at the MSP and provide assistance...to reach the market... Provide seeds, fertilisers and other inputs to farmers to help prepare for the kharif crop,” the opposition demanded. While non-Congress CMs such as Thackeray, Banerjee and Hemant Soren lent institutional weight to the gathering, some felt a chance was lost to convert the event into a larger conference of opposition CMs as Congress CMs were not invited.

In her address, Sonia rejected as “a cruel joke” the recent package announced by the government. “The initial optimism of the PM that the war against the virus would conclude in 21 days has turned out to be misplaced... The government was uncertain about the criteria for lockdowns nor does it have an exit strategy...”

Sonia said: “The government has also abandoned any pretense of being a democratic government. All power is now concentrated in one office, the PMO... There is no indication either if the two Houses of Parliament or the standing committees will be summoned to meet.” Rahul said “today the infection is spreading and we are opening lockdown. Does this mean that lockdown didn’t yield the intended results?”

Ahmed Patel, GN Azad, AK Antony, KC Venugopal, AR Chowdhury and Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress); Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel (NCP); Sanjay Raut (Sena); Derek O’Brien (Trinamool); HD Deve Gowda (JDS), MK Stalin (DMK); Tejashwi Yadav and Manoj Jha (RJD); Sitaram Yechury (CPM); D Raja (CPI); Omar Abdullah (NC); Sharad Yadav (LJD); PK Kunhalikutty (IUML); JK Mani (KCM); NK Premachandran (RSP); Upendra Kushwaha (RLSP); Badruddin Ajmal (AUDF); Raju Shetty (Swabhimani Paksha); KC Thirumavalavan (VCK); Jayant Chaudhary (RLD); JR Manji (HAM); and Kodandaram (TJS) also attended the meet.