New Delhi
Nitish pitches for abolishing Governor’s post

 

The post of Governor of states should be abolished as the existing federal democratic structure does not warrant its continuance, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said today.

His remarks at the Inter-State Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s severe criticism of the Arunachal Pradesh Governor over dismissal of the Congress government in the state and some opposition-ruled states accusing the occupants in Raj Bhawans of working politically at the Centre’s behest.

The JD(U) President added that if it is not possible to do away with the constitutional post, the discretionary powers that go with it be curtailed. He also said the Chief Minister of a state should have a role in the appointment and removal of the Governor.

“Existing federal democratic structure does not warrant continuance of the gubernatorial post. However, if it is not possible to do away with it, then our opinion is that provisions relating to the appointment of Governor must be clearly defined and made transparent.

“Besides, the Chief Minister of the state should also be consulted and the criteria laid down by Sarkaria Commission should be followed in the Governor’s appointment. The propensity to change the Governor, whenever a new Government is formed must be curbed by making constitutional provisions,” he said.

The state’s Chief Minister must be formally consulted before removal of incumbent Governor and, if required, Article 155 of the Constitution may be amended to provide for such consultation, he added, according to an official statement.

Referring to the Punchhi Commission report on the Centre- state relations, he said it has also recommended that for a Chief Minister’s removal, the Governor must give the Leader of the House an opportunity to prove majority on the floor of the House.

“This must be followed in letter and spirit,” he said.

The Modi government’s decision to impose President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand invited criticism that it misused constitutional provisions. The apex court’s verdicts in both the cases led to the restoration of Congress governments.

Kumar, who has imposed prohibition in Bihar, pitched for a complete ban on selling and consuming liquor across the country and said the Constitution also mentions it.

Nitish Kumar said his government was not getting desired support from the neighbouring states, which include Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, in enforcing total prohibition and urged them to not give licences for opening liquor shops within two km of their borders with Bihar.

He also spoke against raising a new central institution or mechanism in matters relating to law and order and said it may turn out to be a hindrance in the Centre-State relations.

“Any step in such sensitive matters should be taken only after detailed discussions with the state government and after forming a consensus,” he said.

Bihar, he noted, is the first state to have a law for confiscating the property acquired through proceeds of crime by left wing extremists and this initiative has paid “dividends”. Kumar said other states may emulate it.

He asked the Finance Ministers to delegate the state police the power to seize assets up to Rs 5 crore under the Money Laundering Act and said it will be a “game changer” in controlling organised crime.

The Chief Minister also made a fresh pitch for special category status to Bihar and other backward states.

Mamata seeks waiver and restructuring of outstanding loan

Highlighting the debt burden, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today sought formation of a committee headed by the Union Finance Minister to look into the issue of waiver and restructuring of the outstanding loan of the states.

Participating in the 11th Inter-state council meeting here, she said the state has suffered revenue loss of approximately Rs 6,500 crore since 2011-12 to 2015-16 which has not been compensated.

The chief minister also sought the release of Rs 2,330.01 crore under the special backward region grant fund (BRGF) and suggested that the Centre should share the additional burden of the states.

“There will be a spike in the debt servicing liabilities of the state from 2016-17. The situation will further deteriorate after implementation of the state’s pay commission,” she said at the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Referring to the past Left regime in the state, she said the condition of West Bengal is the worst due to legacy of huge debt left by the previous government.

“The Kerala-Punjab-West Bengal committee set up by the previous government at the Centre to look into the issue of debt restructuring of these three states was a non-starter from the very beginning and made no headway,” she said.

On Aadhar issue she said the state government is of very strong view that linkage of Aadhar for all direct benefit transfer scheme by December 31, this year as mandated by the Centre should be dropped as considerable number of people are yet to get their Aadhar cards.

She said the state government has taken effective steps in combating left-wing extremism activities in the affected areas.

“Once killings, extortion, torture, kidnapping were regular features in these areas. But now situation has far improved,” she said.

On education, she said the state supports the initiative of improving the quality of education but it will not support any move for pushing certain kind of ideologies and doctrines in the syllabus in the name of improvement of education.

On GST, the chief minister said the state has in-principle supported the introduction of Goods and Service Tax in the country. We are however, of the firm view that Centre should respect the operational autonomy of the states in fiscal matters and ensure that it is not curbed in any way.

Formulate national de-radicalisation policy: Raman Singh to Centre

A national de-radicalisation policy need to be formulated by the Centre to deal with the global threat of terrorism and efforts should be made to operationalise National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid), Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said today.

Addressing the 11th Inter-State Council meeting here, he laid stress on the need for strengthening information-sharing among intelligence agencies and police forces to fight terrorism.

The chief minister suggested that information-sharing in security-related matters and maintaining a common database Natgrid on terrorism were the needs of the hour.

He also advocated formulating a de-radicalisation policy at national level and setting up separate court and laws for cyber crime.

Singh said the district administration should be involved in registration work and distribution of Aadhaar cards in Naxal-affected areas as it will contribute in achieving cent per cent target in remote pockets.

He said that speedy expansion of mobile network and optical fiber cable facilities were necessary for providing grants, services and benefits of government schemes to beneficiaries living in remote areas.

Singh said that 99.98 per cent population in Chhattisgarh benefited from Jan Dhan scheme and 95 per cent population have been issued Aadhaar cards. He said that improvement in percentage of mobile numbers linked to bank accounts was also required and urged the Finance Ministry to issue necessary instruction to banks in this regard.

He said that a positive change has been noticed on the ground in Naxal violence-hit south Bastar after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the region.

Madhya Pradesh CM for multi-disciplinary approach to check radicalisation

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today stressed on the need to check the misuse of social media and adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to check radicalisation.

Chouhan, who was here to participate in the Inter-State Council meeting, also sought better intelligence sharing, “trust and coordination” between the Centre and state governments and emphasised upon immediate establishment of National Intelligence Grid or Natgrid.

“The misuse of social media needs to be checked and there has to be a real-time intelligence gathering and sharing mechanism between the Centre and the states,” he said, adding Natgrid must be made functional without any delay.

He also favoured a multi-disciplinary approach to check radicalisation which is fast emerging as serious challenge globally in internal security scenario.

Chouhan asked the central government to do away with a mandatory provision of “advance payment” by the state governments before seeking Central Para-Military Forces from the Centre to maintain law and order.

Speaking about the intelligence sharing mechanism, he said there was a need for constant dialogue, trust and coordination among intelligence officers of the Centre and the states.

Chouhan also expressed his reservations on no-detention policy, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

There should be board examinations for Class V and VIII level, he said, adding the state has forwarded its suggestions to the Human Resource Development Ministry in this regard.

The no-detention policy mandates that no child shall be held back in any class or expelled from school till the completion of elementary education.

Chouhan also suggested setting up of “Institutes for Nurturing Gifted and Talented Children” to help children with exceptional abilities in honing their skills.

Citing the use of Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, which has helped his government to save over Rs 900 crore by checking duplicate beneficiaries, he said “there has been saving of Rs 917 crore–Rs 900 crore by checking 40 lakh duplicate students who were taking government scholarships and Rs 17 crore by removing the names of 70,000 duplicate beneficiaries taking pensions.

Provide alternative to Aadhaar till we expand coverage:Assam Chief Minister

Apprehending misuse of Aadhaar by illegal immigrants, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today asked the Centre to consider alternative means to provide direct benefits such as subsidies till its coverage is expanded among the three crore population from the current 13 lakh holders.

Speaking at Inter-state Council meeting here, he asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider alternative to Aadhaar as the National Register of Citizens (NRC) updation exercise is on in the state and Aadhaar enrolment process will take time.

“As we propose to take up Aadhaar enrolment in full swing after completion of NRC updation in next couple of months, I request Prime Minister to consider using alternative mechanism to provide direct benefits including subsidies and public services to the citizens of Assam till that time,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the issue has caused genuine apprehension in the minds of the people that without NRC updation, Aadhaar may be used by illegal migrants for availing various government benefits and for claiming citizenship.

In this context, Sonowal proposed the use of Jan Dhan accounts for the purpose till the Aadhaar enrolment is taken up after completion of NRC updation exercise.

At present there are only 13 lakh Aadhaar enrolments out of a population of more than three crore, he said.

On the law-and-order front in the state, Sonowal demanded a coordinated and effective intelligence gathering mechanism to foil the sinister designs of nefarious forces out to disturb peace and harmony in the region.

He asked the Centre help in equipping the Assam Police with latest gadgets and weapons and intensive training to deal effectively with insurgents and jihadi elements.

Sonowal said there was an urgent need for strengthening the road communications and telecom connectivity along border areas and remote habitations in Assam and neighbouring states to thwart the nefarious designs of forces inimical to India.

“We need to have road communications in border and remote areas, mobile and Internet connectivity right up to police station level so that intelligence gathering, taking local communities into confidence becomes fast and timely,” Sonowal said demanding a swift consideration.

Haryana seeks Mahila battalion to deal with women agitators

Haryana today asked the Centre to sanction an India Reserve Mahila Battalion to deal with women agitators and also sought financial and technical support for modernisation of the state’s police force.

Speaking at the 11th meeting of the Inter-State Council chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held after 10 years, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar sought funds to purchase equipment for regional forensic science laboratories.

He said the state government has adopted a transparent policy for the recruitment of constables and inspectors, and the processes for hiring 5,000 general-duty male constables, 1,000 constables under the ex-servicemen category and 1,000 women constables were underway.

As a result of this, he said, the percentage of women in police would increase from six to eight and thereafter, within a year, “we shall increase this percentage to ten.”

The state government has set up women police stations at all district-headquarters. Women complainants were now more comfortable in narrating their grievances before lady cops and majority of them want their problems enquired into at women police stations.

“Encouraged by the response, we have recently taken a decision to open help desks at all police stations at the sub-division level to expand their reach,” he said.

“The central government may consider sanctioning India Reserve Mahila Battalion for law-and-order duties in Haryana,” Khattar said, adding that Haryana has faced a lot of protests, which included women agitators, due to its proximity to the national capital.

Referring to cybercrimes, he said the state was in the process of establishing a state-level cyber-crime branch in Gurgaon which will have specially-trained experts to crack such cases and thus the need to substantially increase the central allocation under modernisation of police force scheme.

He said Gurgaon and Faridabad are two mega cities that need a major push under this comprehensive scheme for which the state needs financial and technical help from the Centre.

Police housing should be re-included as one of the components while allocating funds under the MPF scheme, the chief minister said.

“I request the central government to provide funds to purchase equipment for these regional forensic science laboratories,” he said.

He also sought technical and financial support from the Centre for police modernisation in Gurgaon and Faridabad.

The state government is preparing a thematic scheme for the next three years that is 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 and soon this would be sent to the central government.

Haryana government had notified the Haryana Police Act on June 2, 2008 for amendment and consolidation of law concerning management. This Act focuses on six distinct directions given by the Supreme Court. “We are analysing the Model Police Bill, 2015 to present our views to the Central Government,” he said.

Khattar said the state was in the process of strengthening its intelligence machinery down to the grass-roots level.

Sukhbir accuses Centre of “usurping” states’ powers

In a sharp attack, Punjab, which is ruled by Akali Dal in alliance with BJP, today accused the Centre of “usurping” states’ powers and indulging in a “constitutional rampage” by quietly shifting subjects from the ‘State List’ to ‘Concurrent List’ and then to ‘Union List’.

Speaking at 11th Inter State Council meeting here today, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal said states were being reduced to “mere beggars” as their rights and authority were being “usurped” by the Centre in violation of the spirit of Constitution.

Badal, who heads the Shiromani Akali Dal – an NDA ally, said there was a widespread consensus that the trend towards centralization of authority was continuing, as he stressed on the need for a “genuine” federal structure in India with devolution of more powers to states.

He suggested that the post of Governor should not be kept vacant for more than a month at a time.

“The most dangerous exhibition of this tendency is seen in how the Centre has been quietly shifting subjects from the ‘State List’ to the ‘Concurrent List’ and from the Concurrent to the ‘Union List’ which amounts to constitutional rampage”, he said.

Badal suggested that for matters in ‘concurrent lists’, due weightage should be given to opinion of state government and on ‘central list’ matters, consultation with affected should be carried out.

He emphasised that states should be given much greater operational freedom to choose and finance development priorities of their people.

Shedding light on the crucial river waters issue, he said Punjab had already suffered gross injustice in the matter of allocation of Ravi-Beas waters as the purposes of Beas Project were not kept in view while deciding the allocations.

He argued that had the purpose of Beas Project been kept in view the entitlement of Haryana would not be more than 0.90 MAF.

He said there has been tremendous decline in the ground water level in Punjab which was a direct consequence of inter-basin transfer of water to non-riparian states.

He said Punjab is of the firm opinion that if allocations are made on the basis of environmental impact and accepted water laws, SYL canal would not be required, as not even a drop of water is spare with Punjab to run the SYL canal.

He lamented that till date the Centre has not taken any action for constitution of a new tribunal for reallocation of Ravi-Beas waters in view of Punjab’s complaint filed in 2003.

Conduct NEET in regional languages: Gujarat CM at ISC meet

The Gujarat government today appealed to the Centre to conduct the National Eligibility-cum -Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to MBBS course in regional languages for the benefit of students.

Speaking at the 11th meeting of the Inter-State Council (ISC) here, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said conducting the test in regional languages will benefit students. The same demand has earlier been raised by some other states.

She also laid emphasis on the need for having more coastal police stations in Gujarat to fill the gap in the coastal policing, given its proximity to Pakistan.

She urged the Centre to consider its request for financial assistance for setting up a forensic laboratory.

Patel said her government was in complete agreement with the recommendations made by Justice M M Punchhi Commission, which was formed to look into the new issues of Centre-State relations keeping in view the changes that have been taken place in the polity and economy of the country.

She, however, said that the Centre should take into consideration the views of the state government and “take necessary actions to achieve the goal of co-operative federalism”.

On the use of Aadhaar, she said Gujarat has already enrolled 91.26 per cent adult population under the scheme. For covering the remaining adult population, the state government has set up 560 permanent enrolment centres.

“We have also constituted a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Cell in the Finance Department to oversee both, Aadhaar seeding and also the flow of financial benefits to the beneficiaries’ accounts through DBT.

“The state government will meet the deadline set by Government of India towards transferring all Government subsidy/ benefits through DBT by March 31, 2017,” she said.

Maharashtra govt demands Rs 14,000 cr compensation over GST bill

The Maharashtra government has demanded compensation of Rs 14,000 crore over the possible loss of revenue after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill.

Speaking at the Inter-State Council meeting held here, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state was expected to lose revenue of over Rs 14,000 crore if the GST bill was passed and the state should be compensated over a period of five years.

He also demanded levying additional one per cent more GST in states with a flourishing manufacturing sector to compensate for the loss of revenue.

The Chief Minister stated that in order to combat the menace of ISIS and Naxals, the state has taken several “successful” steps, including starting over 318 inter-state operations with the Chhattisgarh and Telangana governments.

He said his government was not in favour of Justice M M Punchhi Committee recommendations of uniform number of representation of states in the Rajya Sabha and back the existing system.

The Punchhi Commission was formed to look into contemporary issues of Centre-State relations keeping in view the changes that have been taken place in the polity and economy of the country.

Fadnavis said by the end of 2018, over 28,000 Panchayats in the state will be connected with wi-fi services. He said since May 1, Gram Panchayats, health centres and schools of five hamlets in Nagpur district have been provided with internet connection with a speed of 10 mbps.

By 2016-2017, 776 Gram Panchayats will be provided with similar service, he said.

The Chief Minister also claimed to have covered 100 per cent registration of Aadhar cards while 73 per cent of the total population has opened ‘Jan Dhan’ bank accounts.

Highlighting the digitisation of state services, Fadnavis noted that since January this year, over 156 public services have found their presence online through “aaple sarkar” portal.

 

Centre should consult states before appointing Governors: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today voiced protest against imposition of President’s rules in states on “frivolous grounds” and demanded Centre consult states concerned before appointing Governors.

Speaking at Inter-state Council meeting here today, Kejriwal also demanded that Rs 5,000 crore be given to the state by the Centre as the national capital contributes Rs 1.5 lakh crore to the Union Government’s kitty in taxes

“Inter State Council should pass a resolution that chief ministers be consulted before appointment of Governors and Lt Governors in their respective states, and President’s rule can only be imposed in any state if the government loses majority in the Assembly and not on any frivolous grounds by misusing the office of Governors appointed by the Centre,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.

At the meeting, Kejriwal urged the Central government to grant approval to the Bills sent by the Delhi Assembly so that people of the capital could get benefit of the welfare scheme.

Speaking on farming issue, he also said that Centre should waive off all the debts of farmers across the country to reduce their sufferings, demanding implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee report and adequate funds to states so that problems faced by farmers could be resolved at the earliest.

The Delhi Chief Minister said that allegations of rise in prices of pulses due to hoarding at the Mundra Port should be probed with all seriousness, since it is being reported that pulses being imported from countries like Mozambique are being sold at a higher price in India.

He asked the Central government to remove the No Detention Policy from the RTE Act, since it is “harming” the interests of the students.

Andhra Pradesh opposes fixed 5-year-tenure to Governors

The Andhra Pradesh government has opposed a fixed five-year tenure to the office of the Governor saying the person was not elected either by people or their representatives.

It also termed as “not advisable” the recommendation for impeachment of the Governor.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu spelt out the state’s stand at the 11th meeting of the Inter-State Council (ISC) in New Delhi today. He was reacting to the recommendations made by the Justice M M Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations.

The state Information and Public Relations Department released a copy of Naidu’s speech at the ISC meet, here this evening.

“The Punchhi Commission has made practicable and constructive suggestions for the Centre-State relations.

However, I feel some of the recommendations of the said Commission are not practicable and appropriate.

“The recommendation that the Governor should be given a fixed tenure of five years is not appropriate since the Governor is an appointee of the President and not elected by the people or their representatives. Likewise, the recommendation for a provision for impeachment of the Governor as per the procedures envisaged in Article-61 of the Constitution is not advisable,” the Chief Minister said.

“Invoking local emergency under Articles 355 and 356 of the Constitution would be a direct infringement on the states’ autonomy. The recommendation regarding provision of dispute settlement function to the Inter-State Council is a welcome measure and entrustment of disputes to the Council should be done with the specific consent of the states concerned and shall be binding on the states,” Naidu said referring to some other recommendations made by the Commission.

On the recommendation related to assent of Bills by the Governor, the Chief Minister suggested a “modification” that the time for assenting or withholding a Bill be one month and not six months.

He said constituting “empowered committees” like the empowered committee of finance ministers of states was “not a welcome measure.”

The Chief Minister said the recommendation for equal representation of states in Rajya Sabha was also “not appropriate” and would be “detrimental” to the interests and the rights of larger states.

He also opposed the recommendation for suo moto deployment of Central forces in states saying it was “against the principle of federalism.”

Kerala CM asks Centre for more support and assistance

In the backdrop of reports claiming some Keralites joining certain banned terrorist outfits abroad, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today asked the Centre to offer more support and assistance for collection of intelligence in this regard.

Speaking during the 11th Inter-State Council meet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Vijayan said the state government is handling the matter “legally with due sensitiveness”.

Among other issues, Vijayan also expressed his reservation over dismantling of Planning Commission, terming the move as “unfortunate” and insisted that the dispensation of the erstwhile body should be restored.

“Dispensation of Planning Commission should be restored so that even the remote areas too will figure in the comprehensive and planned development of the nation,” he said.

Vijayan also sought a special scheme for the state to upgrade and modernise the state police intelligence by pointing out the activities of the “Left-wing extremist” in the northern districts bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

During the Council meet, the Kerala CM demanded a discussion in the Standing Committee over the Punchhi Commission report which had recommended for an effective restructuring of Centre-State relations.

Kerala has also demanded grant to start Coastal Police Training School, Marine IR Battalion and a Counter Insurgency and Anti-terrorism school in the state considering internal security issues and the state’s strategic position.

Pinarayi Vijayan also met Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in the evening and discussed various issues pertaining to the development of railways in the state and suggested floating a State-Railways joint venture to expedite the development of railways in Kerala.

The CM, who is accompanied by state’s Ports Minister Kadannapally Ramachandran, plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari tomorrow to discuss the issue of Centre issuing in-principle nod to Colachel Port in Tamil Nadu, nearly 30 km away from the proposed Vizhinjam Port project in state.

 

 

PTI