From CK Nayak
New Delhi: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has sought certain changes in devolution of power both administrative and financial for a better Centre-state relationship.
Speaking at the 11th meeting of the long-delayed Inter-State Council at Rashtrapati Bhawan here on Saturday, Sangma made a specific suggestion that the Centre should consult the states through the Inter-State Council on subjects listed on the Concurrent List before undertaking any legislation thereon.
“The treaty making powers of the Union should be exercised in consultation with the states and in the event of any financial burden arising from the implementation of the treaty; it should be borne by the Centre,” he said.
Hinting at the inordinate delay by the Centre in passing some bills already approved by the states the Chief Minister said that at times, Bills are reserved for the Consent of President.” There should be a time limit within which the President should be able to decide on giving or withholding consent to a Bill reserved for his consideration,” he added.
Quoting the Punchhi Commission recommendation, Sangma said that all states should be given equal seats in the Rajya Sabha irrespective of the size of population.
Buoyed with the recent developments in Arunachal Pradesh he said that the discretionary powers of the Governor must be construed narrowly in the interest of federal structure of the country.
With regard to recommendations relating to the Centre-State financial relations, Sangma said that Meghalaya is a backward region and would require special attention for its development. ” Hence, we endorse the suggestion that there should be higher Central transfers to the backward States on 100% grant basis,” he said.
The Centrally sponsored schemes should continue but the uniform guidelines adopted are often inadequate to address the local problems, the Chief Minister said adding that the States should be allowed to design and implement the scheme in order to address the local issues.
Sangma demanded that the resources should be given to the backward States as Special Central Assistance (SCA). While the State share of taxes has increased under the 14 th Finance Commission award, the Block Grants have been discontinued which he said should be revived.
On the vexed Inter-State migration, Sangma said that the State respects the Constitutional position but it needs to ensure that the existing local populace, which is already small in number, is not swamped over by large scale immigrants.
He suggested that one measure to be considered towards this end should be electoral reforms to the effect that migrant people of purely transitory nature, who come to a State seeking seasonal work, should not be allowed to enroll as voters in the State.