AGARTALA, Sep 20 (TIWN): Union Govt's close monitoring of Central projects unearthed massive scams in every district in Manik Sarkar ruled Tripura. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has claimed that the federal structure has been abolished due to NITI Aayog. "Earlier during Planning Commission atleast state govts could place their views, but now there is no chance, rather it constantly try to control the full power from the Centre which is against federal structure". CPI-M's allergy towards abolition of Planning Commission and emergence of NITI Aayog worsening the State-Centre relations day by day in Tripura. From the time NITI Aayog started functioning, the free flow of funds were objected in case of ‘improper implementation’. The NITI Aayog’s turned so heavy on the CPI-M Govt that many times the state had seen so many political turmoil due to this NITI Aayog.

Whoever is supporting NITI Aayog is becoming the enemy of the CPI-M in Tripura. After NITI Aayog members visited Tripura and questioned about the utilization of central funds then Tripura CM lost his temper; it was during NE Summit-2016 at Pragna Bhawan when CM raised question, 'what NITI Aayog has done for NE?" but after that what Manik Sarkar added in a speech was enough reason for the oppositions to burn his effigies across the state. Not only this, after Tripura Governor supporting NITI Aayog said that NITI Aayog was a correct decision taken by the Centre, CPI-M called him as a BJP, RSS man.

Bijan Dhar as CPI-M spokesperson said the Governor post itself should be omitted and a Governor should be selected via Election.

However, it's important to know swhat is the basic difference between NITI Aayog and Planning Commission that the CPI-M are worried so much :

1.     Whereas in Planning Commission the Govt had enjoyed the powers to allocate funds to ministries and state governments, in NITIAayog the powers to allocate funds might be vested in the finance ministry,

2.     The Planning Commission had eight full-time members but for NITI Aayog the number of full-time members could be fewer than Planning Commission

3.     Most importantly States' role in Planning Commission was limited to the National Development Council and annual interaction during Plan meetings, for NITI Aayog State governments are expected to play a more significant role than they did in the Planning Commission/

4.     Secretaries or member secretaries were appointment through the usual process in Planning Commission’s time but  to be known at the CEO and to be appointed by the Prime Minister himself,

5.     To have a number of part-time members, depending on the need from time to time is a thumbrule in NITI Aayog Planning Commission, but in full Planning Commission had no provision for part-time members

It’s worthy to mention here that central Govt has no option other than slashing funds as CPI-M Govt. failed to submit utilization report to the Central Govt. After NITI Aayog raised questioned over proper Utilization of funds, Tripura CPI-M’s main opponent is now NITI Aayog. CPI-M claimed, “Due to the adoption of a new policy at the Centre, Tripura lost Rs 1,356 crore in 2015-16”. However, NITI Ayog was asked by PM Modi to make a vision document & also to create road map for India’s development for the next 15 years.

Targeting NITI Aayog Tripura CM said on Sep 21st at NE Industry Summit, “What has NITI Aayog done for Tripura?” NITIAayog may be beneficial for other states, but not for Northeast. In reply NITI Ayog member Bibek Debroy made it very clear what is NITI Aayog’s work actually as per the guideline of Central Govt. Debroy said, “NITI Aayog’s work is just to monitor. Developed states are known for their strengths. So state govt.’s first duty is to upgrade own strength". "We have many projects which can be utilized, as SMART City, project for Agriculture, Skill Development. “We have dashboard about how many villages are connected with mobiles. How much the quality of roadway. We have monitoring power of Education, water, electricity & everything”, said Debroy.

However, after NITI Aayog’s monitoring CPI-M is under tremendous pressure as drawing central funds have not been so easy now.  CPI-M crying that central government has stopped funding under normal central assistance, special plan assistance and special central assistance. Besides, the fund flow under some major schemes has got reduced by Rs 314.72 crore during 2015-16.