Refuting Punjab Congress’ allegations regarding diversion of central grants by the State Government to fund its development projects and welfare schemes, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday counter attacked the Centre for misutilising funds collected from the States by way of taxes to appease countrymen just to woo them for electoral gains.
“By its policy of centralisation, the Union Government is usurping States’ rights. Centre is utilising majority of funds collected from the States. More than 67 per cent of the revenue collected from the states is used by the Centre whereas remaining amount is disbursed to the States,” pointed Badal while interacting with the mediapersons.
Badal said that due to the Centre’s policy of excessive centralisation of powers, complete chaos was prevailing in the country.
“Despite of the fact that the state Congress leadership is well aware of situation, they have unleashed a malicious propaganda against the State Government regarding central grants. The worst thing is that they want to get credit of even those funds released by the Centre,” he said.
Holding the policy of excessive centralisation responsible for financial mess in the states, Badal said that this has resulted in the lopsided development of the entire country.
On the issue of Sangat Darshan programmes, the Chief Minister said that the statements issued by the Congress leaders regarding funds of Sangat Darshan were “baseless and irrational”.
Every single penny distributed during these program was on record with the Deputy Commissioners in the districts, said Badal, adding that the Congress leaders were envious of this flagship people-Government interactive program aimed at people’s well-being.