Keshubhai Patel not to attend CMs' meet

By Our Special Correspondent

GANDHINAGAR, AUG. 20. Though unhappy over the recommendations of the 11th Finance Commission, the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr. Keshubhai Patel, has decided to stay away from the meeting of the Chief Ministers convened by his Andhra Pradesh counterpart, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, in New Delhi tomorrow to discuss the issue.

A State Government spokesman said Mr. Patel's decision was on the advice of the BJP Central leaders, particularly the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee.

Mr. Patel had joined the other ``progressive States'' in writing to the Centre against the ``discriminatory'' recommendations of the Khusro Finance Commission which had already been approved by the Union Government and was being implemented. Under its recommendations, Gujarat's share in the Central taxes had been reduced to 2.8 per cent from 4.46 per cent earlier though the State continue to contribute about nine per cent of the Centre's total revenue from income tax, excise and customs duties.

A spokesman of the ruling BJP in the State said neither the Government nor the party were happy about the allocations to the State which was being viewed as a ``punishment'' for good performance in bringing down the poverty level and develop infrastructural facilities in the State.

But the State was capable of fighting its own cause and would not need any help from other States or the leadership of Mr. Naidu to plead Gujarat's case for ``justice,'' the spokesman said justifying Mr. Patel's decision to stay away from the Naidu conclave.

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