The minister’s remarks came amid a legal battle between Kerala and the Union Government regarding the release of the state’s rightful share of tax revenue….reports Asian Lite News
Kerala’s Finance Minister K N Balagopal has strongly criticized the BJP-led Union Government’s financial policies, arguing that they pose a severe threat to cooperative federalism and transcending mere political rhetoric. In an interview with PTI, Balagopal emphasized the duty of the Central government to ensure equitable treatment for all states, calling attention to what he sees as systemic discrimination against Kerala.
For some time now, Balagopal has been vocal about what he perceives as unfair treatment of Kerala by the BJP-led Centre, a sentiment echoed by other non-BJP ruled states like Congress-ruled Karnataka. He underscored the broader implications of this financial discrimination, framing it as a fundamental issue of cooperative federalism rather than a mere political debate.
The minister’s remarks came amid a legal battle between Kerala and the Union Government regarding the release of the state’s rightful share of tax revenue. Balagopal expressed optimism about the upcoming Supreme Court verdict, hoping for a favorable outcome that would safeguard Kerala’s interests.
He criticized the Union Government’s stance in the Supreme Court, particularly their conditional offer to release funds contingent on Kerala withdrawing its lawsuit. Balagopal likened this to coercive tactics, stating that the people would not support a government that neglects the states’ interests and withholds rightful dues.
Balagopal emphasized the importance of equitable wealth distribution among states, commending the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala for championing this cause nationally. Despite facing financial constraints, Kerala has made significant strides in fiscal consolidation and state-owned tax collection, according to Balagopal.
However, he expressed frustration with the Kerala unit of the Congress, accusing them of undermining the LDF’s efforts to protect cooperative federalism. Balagopal warned that the people would hold the Congress accountable in the upcoming elections, highlighting the growing support for the LDF.
In Balagopal’s view, the LDF’s commitment to the people’s interests distinguishes it from the Congress, which he believes prioritizes political gains over the state’s welfare. He asserted that Kerala’s future generations stand to benefit from investments in infrastructure development, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the state’s rightful share in Parliament.
Despite financial constraints, Kerala remains resilient, with a robust state-owned tax collection system experiencing significant growth. Balagopal reiterated his faith in the LDF’s genuine intentions and expressed optimism about their prospects in the upcoming elections.
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