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CPI-M terms 15th Finance Commission’s TOR anti-federal (Lead)
Hyderabad, April 20 (IANS) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Friday voiced over what it called the anti-federal and anti-democratic underpinnings of the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the 15th Union Finance Commission.
In a resolution passed by the 22nd Congress of the CPI-M here on Friday, the party said that the terms or reference were “intended” to reduce the share of the states in the overall tax devolution and “squeeze the fiscal space” available to them.
It also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government of trying to utilize the 15th Finance Commission to “further centralise financial powers”.
“As a result of the proposed change in the population base year, the TOR threaten also to seriously impair the finances of state governments that have performed well with respect to population control,” the resolution said.
Senior party leader Prakash Karat told reporters that the terms of reference are on assault of federal principles.
He also alleged that the central government has brought extraneous elements into the terms of reference.
The Marxist leader said that with the population criteria having being changed from 1971 to 2011, the party feels that the state who have taken steps to control population and who succeeded in population control will suffer in terms of financial resources being devolved.
On one of the terms of reference which speaks of “control or lack of it in incurring expenditure on populist measures”, Karat said this was not the business of Finance Commission to decide as this should be decided by elected governments and representatives.
The party expressed the apprehension that all social welfare measures may be considered populist by the Finance Commission and said that this move would curb autonomy and rights of states.
The resolution said that with the TOR suggesting that the 15th Finance Commission should review the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission to raise the share of states in central taxes to 42 per cent and whether the constitutional provision to provide revenue deficit grants to states be continued at all, “the policies that follow from both of these will certainly reduce resource devolution to the states”.
“There are clear suggestions that the Finance Commission enforce the recommendations of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act Review Committee Report. Any such move will significantly reduce the fiscal deficit and debt-GDP ratio permitted for the states, and will severely curtail the fiscal space available to states,” it added.
Noting that Finance Ministers of southern states have raised their objections to the terms of reference, the CPI-M hoped that more states will take a stand. The resolution said the party would mobilize public opinion for revising terms of reference.
In another resolution, the party Congress condemned what it calls the BJP-led government’s latest attack on the working class in the form of extending Fixed Term Employment to all sectors. “This move is an integral part of the neoliberal agenda of labour law reforms that are meant to impose conditions of virtual slavery on the working class,” said the resolution.
The resolution noted that the move would provide employers with the freedom to hire and fire workers. “It is one of the measures intended to facilitate movement up the ladder of the ease of doing business index of the World Bank by depriving workers of job security and pre-empting their united struggles to improve their conditions by getting organised,” it added.
Rejecting the BJP government’s claim that this will generate employment, particularly for women, the CPI-M demanded that the BJP government immediately withdraw the notification on Fixed Term Employment.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.