Only constitutional amendments can fix centralization: CM Stalin

Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin called for constitutional amendments and structural reforms to decentralise powers and provide greater autonomy for states. Speaking on the report of the High Level committee on Union – State relations, tabled in the assembly on Wednesday, Stalin said the day marked the beginning of Tamil Nadu's legal efforts to bring constitutional amendments for transforming state govt's into powerful entities. "States are forced to expect the Union govt for everything. How long should we remain at the receiver and the Union as the provider. This situation should end,'' he said. Stalin said state autonomy was the medicine for the problem faced by states – snatching of powers by Union BJP govt, creating trouble through governors, imposition of Hindi, denial of funds, GST and the delimitation.
Stalin said he wanted the Union govt to function as a federal govt run by the states. "All the states would share the same sentiment, but are unable to express it. We have belled the cat," he said. Referring to reports of Rajamannar Committee, Sarkaria Commission, Venkatachalaiah Commission and Punchhi Commission, Stalin said though those panels too submitted reports on Union – state relations, there was no result. "Worse, the centralization of powers intensified. The powers of state govts were snatched one by one,'' he said. It was in this backdrop that the state decided to constitute the committee, he said. Stalin said the State and the Union were not competing entities. "They are equal partners in a federal structure. The Union must be reminded that India can grow only when its states grow," he said. "What I want to convey to state governments across the country and to the Union government is that autonomy for states and a coalition government at the Centre are essential. This is not the demand of a political party but a crucial policy for people's lives and their development. Coalition is fundamental to India, which stands for pluralism. That is what this report reflects," Stalin said, amid loud applause from the treasury benches. "We are at a crucial juncture in determining and safeguarding the Indian Constitution. This is the time to set our goals and define our priorities to strengthen the concept of true federalism," he said, thanking the panel for submitting the first part of the report outlining the legal measures needed to restore balance in the state–centre relationship. The report would be sent to all political organizations in the country, he said. Meanwhile, The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday condoled the death of deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar.Speaker M Appavu, immediately after the proceedings of the House for the state commenced, read out the resolution condoling the demise of Ajit Pawar, who was killed in a plane crash on Jan 28, and senior educationist S S Rajagopalan.The Speaker also made an obituary reference on the passing away of former members of the House N Sundaram and K Lingamuthu.