A common accusation is that Union government always show “favour” to those states either ruled by the same political party which is in power at the Centre or those ruled by their “friends in politics” and ignore the states being ruled by its political opponents.

Do you feel the time has come to remove such “discrimination or favouritism” based on political differences in the process of development?

Here is an opportunity for you to express your opinion to make an attempt to end politicisation of the relationship between Centre and States, mainly in the key areas of economy, financial aids, sharing of resources, sanctioning of projects, etc.

Spare a few minutes to pen down the nature of relationship you expect between your State and the Centre against the changing economic and political scenario of the country. You can mail your suggestions to the Commission on Centre State Relations, New Delhi, headed by Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, former chief justice of India.

The Punchhi Commission, constituted in April 2007, has now invited views and suggestions from public (individuals, organisations, institutions and associations, etc) on various issues involved.

Punchhi Commission has been created 24 years after a similar commission called Sarkaria Commission was set up in 1983. Sarkaria Commission had given its report in 1988.

Even though all state governments too are expected submit their views on this issue to the Commission, Karnataka is likely to do it only after the installation of a popular government after elections, pointed out a senior officer. The Commission has not set any deadline for receiving suggestions.

Though the Punchhi Commission has been given a free hand to make its suggestions, following terms and references on certain crucial issues has been set by the Centre for the Commission to make its detailed study and recommendations.

*Functions and responsibilities in all spheres including, legislative, administrative relations, role of governors, emergency provisions, financial, economic and social planning, panchayat raj, sharing of resources, including river water, etc.

*Role, responsibility and jurisdiction of Centre-State during major and prolonged outbreak of communal or caste violence or any other social conflict; in planning and implementation of mega projects like inter-linking of rivers; promoting the concept of independent planning and budgeting at the district-level; linking Central assistance of various kinds with the performance of states; need for freeing inter-state trade in order to establish a unified and integrated domestic market, etc
*Suo motu powers.

Feasibility
Meanwhile, one of the Centre’s references to the Commission is to examine the feasibility of a supporting legislation under Article 355 of the Constitution for the purpose of suo motu deployment of forces in the states as and when the situation demands, which is already being debated by political parties.

Centre has also asked the Commission to look into the need for setting up a Central Law Enforcement Agency empowered to take up suo motu investigation of crimes having inter-state and international ramifications with serious.

Have YOUR SAY
Send your suggestions by post to the Secretary, Commission on Centre-State Relations, Vigyan Bhavan Annexe, New Delhi-110011. Email: commcentrestate@nic.in