Read More | Source: Times of India | Title: Cooperation ministry attack on states’ rights: Congress
NEW DELHI: Upping the ante against the newly constituted Union ministry of cooperation, Congress has begun to rally the opposition to take up the issue in the monsoon session of Parliament besides exploring the possibility of petitioning the President.
Congress along with the rest of the opposition parties, including the left, allege that the new ministry, which pertains to cooperatives, which is a state subject under the Constitution, represents an attempt by the BJP government to hijack the cooperative movement across the country. They allege that BJP is particularly eyeing Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala that represent the bulk of the cooperatives in the country.
Congress strategist and former Union minister Jairam Ramesh said, “It is a well planned assault on the constitutional rights and responsibilities of states and we will raise this issue most forcefully in Parliament.” Senior Congress leader from Kerala Ramesh Chennithala said, “There is an ulterior design in BJP‘s decision to create this new ministry with home minister Amit Shah in charge.”
Many in the opposition argue that just like the agricultural laws, which are now the reason for the protracted farmers’ protest, the issue of cooperation ministry can be used to pressure the government on the issue of federalism by showing that the Centre is stepping on the states’ turf.
View More | Source: Times of India