Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has accused the Narendra Modi government at the Centre of not aiding the state in the fight against COVID-19 and other disasters.
Uddhav made the comments in an interview with The Indian Express, which was published on Saturday, as his government marked its first anniversary in power.
Uddhav told The Indian Express, "From September, the Centre stopped the supply of PPE kits and N95 masks. It led to an increase in the state's financial burden by around 250-300 crore."
Uddhav also alleged the Centre extended only "nominal" help when Maharashtra confronted the Nisarga cyclone and flooding in Vidharbha.
Uddhav also pointed out GST and tax devolution dues amounting to Rs 38,000 crore of Maharashtra were still pending with the Centre. Uddhav argued that if the GST system's flaws could not be resolved, it would be better to revert to the old tax collection system.
Uddhav argued that Maharashtra was staring at a financial crisis on account of dues to power companies. He noted the outstanding bill recoveries of power companies in Maharashtra was close to Rs 60,000 crore. "Our dues from the Centre are not being cleared and neither are we getting much help from them," Uddhav told The Indian Express.
Uddhav accused the BJP of attacking his family and described it as a "low and perverted tendency of their politics".
Uddhav told The Indian Express that the Shiv Sena's alliance with the Congress and NCP would continue in the Legislative Council polls scheduled to be held next month.
