Opposition questions formation of Cooperation Ministry, says it undermines federalism

Days after the Centre announced the formation of Ministry of Cooperation to strengthen the cooperative establishments in the country, the Opposition has accused it of trying to undermine federalism. Congress is calling it a 'political mischief' while the Left is terming it as an 'assault' on federalism as cooperatives is a state subject.

Former Maharashtra chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan question the need of such a ministry when a department of cooperation already exists. He also added that setting up of the ministry and giving Home Minister Amit Shah additional charge of it was done with an eye on the cooperatives in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury has earlier tweeted that "after looting PSU banks giving huge loans to cronies now targeting deposits in cooperative banks across the country for more loot.”