Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today lauded the Prime Minister for using his long experience as Chief Minister to usher in "winds of change in political and constitutional climate in favour of federalism” in the country. Calling for an all-party consensus in favour of the Prime Minister’s initiative, Mr Badal said,“The country is poised for a genuine federal structure and we must rise above political differences to make use of this historic opportunity". Summing up his impressions about the proceedings of yesterday’s meeting he said " the ball has been set rolling by the Prime Minister for fiscal autonomy and it is for all states and all political parties to forget political differences to make use of the political and constitutional opening created by the new atmosphere under NDA government at the center".
Mr Badal went on to say " we have come a long way from the times when successive Congress governments indulged in constitutional rampage and reduced the states to the level of beggars at center’s door. No one appreciates the need for empowering states in fiscal and other development matters more than the Prime Minister Shri Minister Shri Narinder Modi ji does, thanks to his long experience as Chief Minister of Gujarat. Yesterday’s meeting was a major step forward in that direction, he added.The Deputy Chief Minister said the latest inter-state council meeting would be remembered for laying the foundations of inclusive development in the country. He said even though the founding fathers of the Indian constitution had given the country a draft which was close to the spirit of federalism, successive Congress governments from the fifties onwards had violated its spirit by riding rough shod over the aspirations of the States.Stating that this trend of discrimination was set to change, Mr Badal said it was the first time that the country had a dynamic Prime Minister who had been a four time consecutive chief minister. He said Mr Modi was not only well aware of the difficulties faced by the States but was also best equipped to come out with much needed solutions. "As I mentioned yesterday, steps are already being taken in this regard. I am grateful to Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley for effecting the recent increase in the devolution of funds from the center to the states from 32 percent to 42 percent.
This could be increased further to 50 percent to enable the states to achieve more economic prosperity", he added.Mr Badal also appreciated that States were being asked about which model of development suited them best. This will result in States utilising money as per their priorities leading to even more inclusive growth"Detailing how State powers had been usurped repeatedly by the centre earlier, the Deputy CM said it has been 60 years since the Centre List, State List and Concurrent List were evolved and subjects were decided according to the needs of the times 60 years back. "Today much water has flown down the river and times have changed and therefore the subjects that were thought to be put in Centre List or State List and Concurrent List needed to be reviewed. The Prime Minister is the most decisive leader the country has ever had and it is an apt and conducive time to review these lists", he added.Speaking on the issue of GST, Mr Badal said the Congress was out to stall the GST Bill which was of utmost necessity for the progress of the country. "It is clear that for NDA and BJP country comes first,and for Congress party ‘politics’ comes first", he added. EOM