KCR Seeks More Funds for States from Central Pool  

New Delhi: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has suggested that the important forums such as Inter-State Council be made more vibrant to promote the spirit of cooperation between the Centre and States to make the country “strong, progressive and economically developed with a strong federal structure.”

Speaking at the 11th Inter-State Council meeting in New Delhi on Saturday, KCR welcomed improved budgetary allocation to highways by the Centre and stressed that substantial infusion of funds was also required in sectors like rrigation, education and healthcare. He sought that each State should be given at least one major national level irrigation project.

Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao observed that a lot remains to be done by the Centre to strengthen the States with greater devolution of funds along with vigorous initiatives to boost the economy.

He felt that consent of States should be taken and in case it entailed financial burden on the States, the Centre should fully reimburse it, particularly in the matter of any new Act or amendments to the concurrent list. Citing an example, he said Telangana was spending Rs.300 crore annually to implement the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

Pointing out that schemes such as model schools sanctioned by the Centre were plagued by fund crunch, he suggested that all recurring expenditure should be borne by the Centre in case of any scheme started by it even if the same was abruptly stopped.

‘Consult States while appointing Governors’

Stating that Telangana would support the recommendation that the States should be consulted while selecting the Governor, Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao noted that the Governor should also not have any discretionary powers in holding any Bill indefinitely and a time limit for clearing such issues be prescribed.

Further, he favoured the proposal that Governor should not be made Chancellor to universities since they have a larger constitutional role to discharge and mentioned that Telangana had already implemented it.

On the issue of inter-State disputes, Mr. Rao said the Centre should play more decisive role in resolving them and it should also be made mandatory for tribunals on inter-State water disputes to give their awards in a prescribed time-limit, as recommended by the Punchhi Commission.

Stating that development of backward areas was at the core of solving left-wing extremism, Mr. Rao said Centre should give sufficient funds for improving infrastructure, road connectivity, educational facilities including residential schools in the LWE-affected areas.

Seeking thorough revamping of criminal justice system, he said when new legislation would be brought for creation of courts, the burden should be borne by the Centre itself.

He also highlighted the proactive attitude of Telangana in maintaining good relations with neighbouring States, particularly Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. However, he stated that there were some contentious issues still lingering with Andhra Pradesh and they needed to be resolved by the Centre.