Inter-state council a forum to address people's concerns: Modi

It has been convened after a gap of 10 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, called on the states to use the platform of Inter-State Council (ISC) to work more closely among themselves and with the centre to address the problems of the people through schemes and programmes and take collective policy decisions.

“This forum of cooperative federalism is the perfect setting to deliberate on the interests of the people, address their problems, and take collective and concrete decisions. It highlights the vision of the makers of our Constitution,” the Prime Minister said in his remarks to the ISC.

The ISC has been convened after a gap of 10 years. Modi said that the agenda included the M M Punchhi Commission on centre-state relations, Aadhaar and Direct Benefit Transfer, education, and internal security.

“Apart from Centre-State relations, the ISC is an appropriate forum to discuss matters which are of concern to large segments of our population,” Modi said. The day-long meeting is being attended by Modi, his senior cabinet ministers, and chief ministers of the states.

The Justice M M Punchhi commission to review centre-state relations, headed by the former Chief Justice of India, was set up by the Manmohan Singh government in 2007 and submitted its report in 2010.

The commission gave more than 270 recommendations, which included fixing a six-month deadline for the President to clear state legislations, and inhibiting the centre’s prerogative to sign international treaties without consulting the states or Parliament. It also recommended an anti-conversion law and freedom to suo motu deploy central forces in states during emergencies.

Other recommendations included one which called for appointment of governors by a panel which includes the Prime Minister and the chief minister of the concerned state, and that a governor cannot be removed unless he or she has been impeached by the assembly.

The ISC meeting on Saturday revives the discussion on the report, which has long been in cold-storage as many of its recommendations are seen as politically sensitive.

On Aadhaar, Modi said: “Today, the simple Aadhaar card has become a symbol of empowerment. Benefits now flow only to people genuinely entitled to receive them, with money getting directly credited to their bank accounts. This has not only brought in transparency, but also resulted in savings of thousands of crores of rupees, which are being utilised for development.”

“The meeting of the ISC provides an opportunity for exchange of views in an extremely free and frank manner. I am sure you will share your thoughts and suggestions on all the agenda items. These will be of tremendous value,” Modi said.

“The more we are able to forge consensus on these vital issues, the better we shall be able to tackle them. In doing so, we shall not only strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism and Centre-State relations, but also secure a better future for our citizens,” Modi added.

The ISC was set up in 1990 as a platform for the Prime Minister, senior cabinet ministers, and all chief ministers and administrators of UTs to discuss the coordination of schemes and policies. It was defunct for 10 years now, with the last meeting held in 2006.