'Ready To Take Hard Decisions'

We cannot support price hike on diesel and reduction in subsidized LPG cylinders. Today, a decision has been taken allowing FDI in Retail Sector. It is a big jolt. We are really sorry. We cannot support anything that is against the interest of the poor and common people. Loot cholchhe loot. [Loot is going on, loot]

Sometimes speech is silver and silence is golden. We are not party to it. We are not supporting these anti-people decisions. We are very much serious about these developments and ready to take hard decisions if these issues are not reconsidered.

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In my opinion, instead of continuing to burden the farmers and common people, by way of increase in taxes and prices of diesel and petrol to raise resources, the Centre should now start thinking of utilizing large amount of black money lying in the country and abroad. A substantial amount of it, can be gainfully utilized for developmental work. Further, a large amount of ‘benami’ assets and funds need to be unearthed. This can also be used for development of the country.

In a federal structure, Centre is the Supremo - they make policies and impose taxes. At the same time, the Centre takes away about 70% of the tax proceeds collected from the states and leave behind a meagre 30% for utilization by the states. As per the present formula, our State receives only 2.3% of the total taxes collected by the Centre.

My State is very much willing to provide full relief to the common people and farmers affected by the increase in prices of domestic LPG and diesel. But at the same time, Centre must allow state to collect all taxes, now taken away by the Centre. This will enable the state to provide full relief and subsidy.

In a democracy, Centre should not treat itself as an Upper House, as the state, as Lower House, is directly connected to the roots and feels the pulse of the interest of the common people and farmers. To make the federal democracy flourish, the voice of the state must be heard, the tax resources raised must be left to the state, so that developmental work receives a boost. One should remember, if the kitchen is hurt, the woman is hurt, then the people at large, become stronger to bring about change.