ROUND THE STATES

New Delhi, ,14 June 2006

NCP Slams Congress

OIL POLITICS UPSETS STATES

By Insaf

New Delhi’s oil politics has pushed the States into a quandary.  Already unhappy by the high price hike on petrol and diesel, almost all the States are upset over the Centre’s move: to thrust a part of the burden on the States by getting them to reduce their share of the sales tax on petrol and diesel.  The roll-back demand and the suggestion for the States to forego a part of their share of sales tax has acquired political shape, more than fiscal. Even some of the Congress-ruled States, which were earlier directed by the party High Command to cut down their share of the tax, resent the suggestion in view of the loss of revenue this would entail. It is estimated that the States’ share of taxes on petroleum products is only between 16 and 17 per cent, as against the Centre’s 31 per cent.

The NDA and the Left parties are accusing the Centre of unfairly using “political pressure” on the States. A case in point is that of the Congress-led Government in Maharashtra. It was the first to oblige the Centre and announce the cushion. But it faced difficulty in implementing it as its alliance partner, the NCP declared that it will not allow reduction in the State’s share of sales tax. Eventually, the State Cabinet has found another way out to provide some relief to the consumers: cut in value-added tax by 80 paise and 30 paise per litre on petrol and diesel respectively. The BJP, which organized a massive rally in New Delhi on Monday and had its leaders, including Vajpayee and Advani, court arrest, has demanded a reduction in the “excessive excise duty”. It also wants the Prime Minister to call a meeting of the Chief Ministers to evolve a consensus on a unified tax rate across the country.

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ULFA Warned To Stop Violence

Bomb blasts triggered by suspected ULFA cadres across Assam almost all of last week have upset the continuing efforts of both the Centre and the State Government in negotiating peace with the militants. New Delhi had conceded Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s recommendation for release of four jailed ULFA leaders.  It had also fixed June 22 for a meeting in New Delhi with the ULFA-constituted People’s Consultative Group (PGP) to finalise the agenda for direct talks with the outfit.  The Centre has now informed the PCG negotiator, Indira Goswami, that the demand for the release of ULFA leaders cannot be conceded until it gives up violence.   The Centre is also firm that sovereignty is non-negotiable and that the militants must lay aside arms before coming to the negotiating table.

What has prompted the ULFA to start afresh its violence, especially when Tarun Gogoi had taken steps to ensure peace in the State? The ULFA has apparently reacted sharply to a survey report (source undisclosed so far) published in some local newspapers. The report has claimed that less than one per cent in Assam support the militant outfit and its cessionist agenda and that “sovereign Assam” for which the banned outfit has been fighting since 1979 was “outrageous”. The PCG has described the survey as a “sham, aimed at nipping the peace process in the bad”.  While the ULFA dismissed the report as a “plant” by the intelligence agencies, the Union Home Ministry regards the serial blasts as “pressure tactics” to extract more concessions from the Government, including the release of their leaders.

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Muslim Front in U.P.

A dangerous lead given by the Muslims of Assam in setting up the Assam United Democratic Front, headed by businessman Badruddin Ajmal, is being followed by fellow-Muslims in U.P. in the run up to the State Assembly elections early next year. Encouraged by the formation of the People’s Democratic Front comprising some smaller community outfits at Lucknow and Aligarh, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari has announced the formation of a new political party in U.P. to garner the numerically and politically significant Muslim votes in the State.  To be christened UP United Democratic Front (UPUDF), the new party would comprise the Assam AUDF and includes leaders like CM Ibrahim, former Union Minister who presently heads the All India Progressive Janata Dal, and the National Loktantrik Party. This threatens to grow into a formidable combine.

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Vidarbha A Neglected Sibling

The Vidarbha Rajya Vikas Parishad and all the others clamouring for carving a separate State of Vidarbha out of Maharashtra, have received solid and unexpected support for their cause from none less than the Planning Commission.  Following an uproar in Parliament over farmers’ suicides, rural distress, social unrest and regional disparities, in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had asked the Planning Commission to investigate the matter. The Committee, headed by Adarsh Mishra, analysed the grim situation and has come to the conclusion that “it’s a case of a neglected sibling” with institutionalized bias in favour of the Maharashtra region. The committee has found laxity in the implementation of projects for Vidarbha and diversion of money to fund irrigation projects to western Maharashtra.

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Arunachal’s Development Plan

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang has given a new thrust to the planning process in the State.  His Government has worked out a massive infrastructure development programme, estimated to cost of Rs.100 crore.  The amount is earmarked for mainly replacement of ramshackle structures of all schools and health centres in the State and improvement of roads and their connectivity network.  The required funds would be made available under the special planning assistance (SPA) as additional Central assistance.  They would be utilized for need-based and time-bound schemes. Meanwhile, the State is greatly disappointed by the Prime Minister’s decision to postpone his two-day visit to the State on June 13-14.

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Himachal Drought Package

The Congress Government in Himachal Pradesh, led by Virbhadra Singh, is preparing a detailed note on the damages it has suffered following a prolonged drought spell and hailstorm that has caused great misery to the farmers. The “drought package” based on damage assessment is intended to seek from the Centre special financial assistance to provide succuour to the farmers and others affected by the natural calamities.  It is estimated that the losses to the crops are in the range of 40 to 80 per cent, with some pockets in Kangra suffering over 90 per cent. Revenue Minister Sat Mahajan has stated that under the Centrally-assisted package, the Government would waive off loans, provide subsidy on seeds, additional grants for revival of water bodies and subsidy on transporting fodder.

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Orissa Policy For Naxal Outfits

The Orissa Government has worked out a rehabilitation policy for those militant organizations in the State which choose to surrender. The package includes payment of up to Rs.10,000 on acceptance of surrender, Rs 20,000 on surrender of arms and ammunitions, allotment of land and house building grants up to Rs.25,000.  Also bank loan facility up to Rs.2 lakh would be provided. After repayment of 75 per cent of the loan, payment of interest would be waived.  Meanwhile, the CPI(Maoist) and seven other pro-Naxal organizations have been banned in a determined effort to put an end to the increasing Naxal activity across the State. ---INFA

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