Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday said the Centre's decision to levy Swachh Bharat cess on taxable services was a severe blow to the common man.He said the central government has been adopting anti-people policies in the name of economic reforms."Instead of imposing taxes on the common man to mobilise funds for Swachh Bharat, it would have been wiser to involve the people actively through other ways to make the campaign a success," he said."With the aim of capturing power, the Narendra Modi government made plenty of promises to the people never to be fulfilled. Prices of essential commodities have been spiralling out of control, hitting the common man hard," he said.Gogoi said the common man was yet to see the 'achche din' (good times) promised by the BJP-led government, and instead was undergoing days of misery and hardship.
"The present dispensation is hell bent on making the life of the common man more miserable and making the lives of rich and the affluent rosier. 'Achche din' is not for the aam aadmi but for the rich and affluent," he said.Gogoi wondered how India can shine if the common man lives in abject poverty."The anti-poor policy has created a chasm between the government and the people. If the plight of the common man remains pitiable, how could India's image among nations ascend," he asked.Gogoi said the BJP bit the dust in Bihar only because of its anti-people policies."The humiliating defeats the BJP suffered in Delhi and Bihar have failed to open its eyes and the recent hike in prices of essential commodities is a pointer," he added.