PRIME MINISTER'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS AT
THE EIGHTH MEETING OF INTER-STATE COUNCIL
The Prime Minister,
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated the Eighth meeting of Inter-State
Council at Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, today. The Deputy Prime
Minister, Shri L.K. Advani, other Cabinet colleagues of the Prime
Minister, Chief Ministers and administrators of Union Territories
were among those present on the occasion.
Following is
the text of the inaugural address of the Prime Minister:
"I welcome
you to the Eighth meeting of the Inter-State Council.
All the previous
meetings of the Inter-State Council have been held in Delhi. The
distinction of hosting it outside the national capital for the
first time goes to Jammu & Kashmir. On behalf of all the other
States, and on my own behalf, I offer my hearty thanks to the
people of Jammu & Kashmir, and to Mufti Sahab, for making
it possible.
A meeting of
the country’s apex forum of cooperative federalism taking place
in Srinagar gives yet another clear message that the situation
in this State is changing. It also demonstrates the firm commitment
of the Centre and all other States to stand by our brethren in
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh areas of the State.
The people of
Jammu & Kashmir deserve our highest appreciation for showing
their faith in democracy in the face of grave threats. The elections
to the State Legislature in October last will go down as one of
the finest victories for the ballot, in its battle against the
bullet, in world history. Above everything else, it was a mandate
for peace. It was a mandate against cross-border terrorism, which
the people of this State have suffered for over a decade and paid
a heavy price.
How heartening
it is to know that the shikaras are once again sailing with tourists
on the famous Dal Lake in front of this convention centre. How
reassuring it is to know that the hope of normalcy is returning
to the Kashmir Valley.
I assure the
people and the government of Jammu & Kashmir that we will
give them maximum help in consolidating the recent gains. We will
further intensify our sincere efforts to advance the dialogue
process. Our doors are open to all those who reject militancy
and extreme positions and wish to play a constructive role in
taking Jammu & Kashmir forward on the high road of peace and
rapid development.
Over the last
few years, we have sought to make the Inter-State Council an active
forum for free and frank discussions on issues that have a bearing
on the Centre-State and Inter-State relations. Such frequent interaction
nurtures a strong, federal spirit. It also protects the powers
of the States without sacrificing national unity, integrity and
Constitutional imperatives. The Council strengthens the bond of
partnership between the Union and the States, which is the mainstay
of our democratic polity and also the main requirement for achieving
India’s speedy, all-round development.
Since its inception
in 1990, the Inter-State Council has concentrated on the recommendations
of the Sarkaria Commission, which submitted its report in 1988.
Previous meetings of the Council have covered a lot of ground
in deliberating these recommendations and arriving at consensus
decisions. Now, 17 recommendations from different Chapters of
the Commission’s Report are for consideration before us. The Standing
Committee has already considered these recommendations and its
opinion has been incorporated in the agenda papers.
Without going
into the specifics of the Commission’s recommendations, or what
the Standing Committee has opined on them, I would like to urge
all of you that, after 13 long years, let us bring the discussion
on Sarkaria Commission’s recommendations to a final and consensual
conclusion at the Srinagar meeting.
All of you will
perhaps agree with me that the dynamics of social, economic and
political forces in India has changed significantly since the
Sarkaria Commission submitted its report. Centre-State relations
have improved and a sense of partnership has emerged. The end
of one-party rule at the Centre has inaugurated a new process
of harmonisation of regional aspirations within an overarching
national outlook. This has also helped political parties to somewhat
alter their traditional positions on various issues.
Today all of
us are united in our belief that we need to continually strengthen
the consensus and cooperation between States and the Centre. The
dream of a strong, prosperous, progressive and self-confident
India – a dream which we have now begun to articulate as "Making
India a Developed Nation by 2020" – can only be realised
through a partnership between a strong Centre and strong States.
In this vision of the founding fathers of our Constitution, the
Centre is expected to provide the overall guidance to the nation
and the State Governments are expected to provide a good administrative
interface with the people.
Today’s agenda also
includes consideration of the views of a Sub-Committee, which
was set up by the Inter-State Council to examine issues on contract
labour and contract appointments. The Union Ministry of Labour
is taking appropriate action in the matter.
Tomorrow in the morning
session, if time permits, we could discuss an ‘Action Plan on
Good Governance’. The Union Government had set up a Group of Ministers
to suggest reforms in the national security system. One of the
recommendations made by this Group was to discuss an Action Plan
for Good Governance in the forum of the Inter-State Council for
adoption and implementation.
On account of the
reform programmes of the Central and State Governments, the role
of the Government has been changing from that of a controller
and executor of socio-economic activities to that of a facilitator,
motivator and guide. Our main emphasis now is to unleash the potential
of private enterprise and to encourage the constructive participation
of the institution of civil society.
The essential elements
of ‘Good Governance’ are-
- a comprehensive legal framework,
- defended and enforced by an impartial
and competent judicial system,
- an accountable, open and transparent
executive decision-making apparatus,
- coupled with a capable, efficient
and people-friendly bureaucracy,
- and, last but not the least,
strong civil society participation.
One of the shortcomings
in our government system is that the evaluation of our policies
and programmes is often expenditure based and not sufficiently
based on quantitative and qualitative outputs. This must change.
All of us now realise that the people are demanding a higher level
of performance by the governments they elect. Therefore, I would
like the Inter-State Council Secretariat to focus on monitoring
the implementation of the Action Plan on Good Governance both
in quantitative and qualitative aspects.
At the last meeting
of the Council, we had taken decision on 59 recommendations of
Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State relations. I am happy to inform
you that in pursuance of one of such decisions, instructions have
been issued to the Union Ministries/Departments requesting them
to consult the State Governments, excepting emergency cases, on
any legislation with regard to matters enumerated in the Concurrent
List of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. It also provides
that machinery of Inter-State Council Secretariat should be used
for effective consultations with the States.
I urge the Union
Ministries/Departments as well as the State Governments to ensure
adherence with these instructions. I may remind you that the National
Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution had also
expressed serious concern about lack of Centre- State consultations
in the area of legislation under the Concurrent List in spite
of the existence of the Inter-State Council.
Another decision
taken in the last meeting of the Council was to effect early revision
of royalty rates on coal. These rates have been revised on 16th
August, 2002 as a result of which the royalty earnings of coal
producing States are likely to go up by about Rs. 500 crore per
annum. This is likely to go up further with increase in the coal
production in coming years.
In recent meetings
of the Council, I have been urging the members of the Council
to increasingly utilise this forum by bringing up new issues for
discussion and resolution. I would again call upon the Chief Ministers
and the Union Ministers to place fresh issues and ideas for deliberations
in this forum. In this direction, the task and reach of the Council
needs to be widened with provision of adequate manpower and funds
at its disposal.
The prepared speeches
of Chief Ministers have already been circulated and would go on
record. If you agree, we can straightaway commence discussion
on today’s agenda, for which I declare the meet open.
Thank You".