UPA-era report on centre-state ties to figure at key meet

NEW DELHI: A UPA-era report that recommends the imposition of President’s rule on a smaller area affected by serious internal disturbances rather than on an entire

NEW DELHI: A UPA-era report that recommends the imposition of President’s rule on a smaller area affected by serious internal disturbances rather than on an entire state and says governors should only be removed by impeachment by the state assembly is back on the discussion table.

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The Narendra Modi government has dusted off the justice MM Punchhi commission report that lays out a roadmap for redefining Centre-state relations, and will formally start discussions with states on its recommendations at an Inter-State Council meeting this weekend.

The panel made several other key suggestions, including one for a model anti-conversion law — a demand supported by the ruling BJP — and powers to suo motu deploy central forces in states during emergencies.

The PM is an active advocate of ‘cooperative federalism’ — a term he uses to describe the Centre’s intent to have harmonious relations with states — but the move to breathe new life into the report may raise eyebrows in the opposition camp as some of its recommendations impinge on the rights of states.

Saturday’s meeting of the council headed by the PM is its first since 2006. The council, with all the chief ministers as members, was set up as a forum for states to discuss issues of common interest. But invariably, its agenda is dictated by the Centre’s priorities. The Congress-led UPA set up the commission headed by the former Chief Justice of India in 2007 under pressure from the Left parties, which were supporting the alliance from outside. The panel gave its report in 2010, but the UPA-2 government put it on the back burner, ostensibly to giveth estates time to furnish their opinions.

The commission’ s 273 recommendations include fixing a six-month deadline for the President to clear state legislations, and limiting the Cent re’ s powers to sign international treaties without consulting states or Parliament.

Terming forcible conversions a provocation for communal tension, the report asks the Centre to come up with a law that stipulates the sternest action in proven cases—a recommendation in line with the BJP’s, and Union home minister Rajnath Singh’s, assertion for a debate on the subject. This could turn controversial in the run-up to assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and other states next year.

But, the Centre is unlikely to agree to certain other recommendations such as the appointment of governors by a panel headed by the PM but with the CM of the state as a member, or the one that prevents a governor from being removed unless impeached by the assembly.

A government official said it was reasonable to expect the Centre to push for the recommendations that suit its politics or interests.

Out of the 273 suggestions, the government plans to put 123 up for discussion and decision.

Officials said most of the recommendations on which action has been taken weren’t significant. The government planned to just take up the sensitive ones at the meeting.