Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday termed Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s reported comment asking the States to attract investment themselves or perish, as the BJP’s pro-rich lineage.
In a statement here Gogoi said, “Arun Jaitley’s comment on the states to reform or perish is a clear reflection of NDA Government’s pro-capitalist agenda”. Gogoi further said, “If the landlocked region like North East is left to compete with bigger developed States like Gujarat and Maharashtra on its own, a sense of disparity and sarcasm will overpower the region because of its want of a matching business environment.
Moreover, Jaitley’s statement is an indication of the NDA government’s transition from cooperative federalism to competitive federalism”.Gogoi said, “If Jaitley’s wish is allowed to be materialised, it will lead to market economy and will prove to be a doom for the people of North East who are in general economically poor and backward”.
Gogoi further said that Union Finance Minister’s comment would further widen the regional disparity and would result in sluggish growth. It would also affect creation of jobs and give rise to resentment among the youths which had been one of the root causes of insurgency in the State.
Gogoi stated, “Assam and other Northeastern States need more incentives to set up more Central sector industries to give a boost to its local and natural resources. However, Centre’s thrust on market economy will only unleash regional imbalances”.He said, “Union Finance Minister’s comment reflects his insensitivity to the people of North East, as the Centre’s neglect to the region will only alienate the people of the region further.”
