Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
New Delhi, August 26
Seven Chief Ministers representing Opposition parties on Wednesday called for unity and fearlessness to take on the Centre and said they would mull moving the Supreme Court for postponement of JEE Mains, NEET UG and university exams.
At a virtual meeting of seven CMs called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, there was unanimity on the need to consider a review petition in the apex court, which earlier rejected a petition to postpone NEET UG and JEE Mains exams that are due soon.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and her counterparts Maharashtra’s Uddhav Thackeray and Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren said Opposition unity was needed to fight the BJP.
“They keep sending agencies after us to surround us and divert our attention, but we must fight for the people and our rights. We are not begging. We are asking for our rights,” Banerjee said, attacking the Centre for failing to pay GST compensation to states, a matter Sonia flagged in her opening remarks saying the government had betrayed its constitutional obligation of paying GST compensation to states.
“In the meeting of Standing Committee on Finance dated August 11, the Finance Secretary has reportedly stated that the Central Government is not in a position to pay the mandatory GST compensation of 14% for the current year. This refusal to compensate the states is nothing short of a betrayal by the Modi government of the people’s trust.
“On the other hand, the Central Government continues to profiteer from unilateral cesses which are non-shareable with states and corner this revenue,” Sonia said.
Speaking at the meeting, all CMs, including Punjab’s Capt Amarinder Singh, Rajasthan’s Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh’s Bhupesh Baghel, also slammed non-payment of GST dues demanding unified action on the GST issue.
Thackeray also told the gathering that the Opposition must decide whether to fight or fear.
“If we have to fight we have to fight and not be afraid of pressures,” said Maharashtra CM, noting that CMs should meet even when there is no crisis.
Soren earlier said he felt the Opposition voice was weak and needed to be stronger.
With all CMs agreeing that holding competitive exams at the time of rising COVID transmission could be dangerous, Banerjee and Amarinder Singh pressed to move SC for a review of its earlier order rejecting postponement of the exams.
All CMs agreed this needed to be done quickly as JEE Mains was scheduled from September 1 to 6.
Amarinder and Baghel also attacked the National Education Policy 2020 after Sonia’s remarks criticising the same.
While Punjab has formed a committee to study the impact of NEP on the state, Baghel called for opposition of many elements of the policy.
The meeting called by Sonia three weeks ahead of Parliament session sought coordinated approach of the opposition in the session.
Sonia earlier flagged the need for GST compensation to be paid to states on time according to the laws passed by Parliament.
“This is not happening. Dues have accumulated. The finances of all states have been affected badly. GST was enacted as an example of “cooperative federalism”. It was enacted after the states agreed to forego their constitutional powers of taxation in the larger national interest and on the solemn promise of compulsory GST compensation for a period of five years,” Sonia said.
Also questioning the Draft EIA Notification 2020 as anti-democratic, Sonia said, “Laws meant to protect the environment, livelihoods and public health are being weakened.”
She also expressed concerns over privatisation or public sector assets, especially the Railways.
Gandhi said NEP 2020 should worry everyone. “NEP 2020 is a setback for progressive, secular and scientific values and reveals insensitivity to what the states have been saying. Problems of students and examinations are being dealt with very uncaringly,” she said, two days after crushing an inner party rebellion questioning her presidency.
