Karnataka for more autonomy to states in State List subjects

The Congress government in Karnataka pitched for greater autonomy to states in respect of subjects in the State List and said the Centre should be "extremely restrained" in asserting parliamentary supremacy over them.

On matters pertaining to constitutional governance and management of Centre-State relations, it is essential to institutionalise the process of consultation between the Union and the states on legislation under the Concurrent List, it said.

"Harmonious operation of the Concurrent List could be considered as co-operative federalism at its best," Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said, while placing the state's views on the Second Commission on Centre-State relations headed by Madan Mohan Punchhi, at the Inter-State Council meeting in New Delhi.

He said the Commission has rightly pointed out that equal amount of consciousness and the Union needs to show support in addressing the needs and aspirations of the states and different communities.

The Karnataka government suggested that when a bill is reserved for the consideration of the President, a time limit should be prescribed within which the President should take a decision whether to accord his assent or to direct the Governor to return it to the State Legislature or to seek Supreme Court's opinion regarding the constitutionality of the Act under the Article.

"It is desirable that six months will be appropriate time limit in this regard," Parameshwara said.

On the issue of Centre-State Financial relations and Planning, the state welcomed the recommendations of the Commission which has emphasised on proper balancing of powers between the Centre and the states and also on the primacy of the Finance Commission's role in the transfer of funds.

Noting that the Commission's recommendations are timely, he said steps should be taken to institutionalise the process of involving states in finalising the terms of reference of future Finance Commissions.

Also, non-tax revenue, including royalty and spectrum sales revenues, of the central government should be made a part of the devolution pool, he said.

Further, it is "very important" that the Centre takes the entire financial responsibility for implementation of various central legislation's even though states are involved in their implementation, Parameshwara said.

"Our experience in some, like Right to Education (RTE) Act and MGNREGA, where we have faced the problems of both inadequate as well as delayed releases, raises our concern," he added.