UPA-era report on centre-state ties to figure at crucial 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 state and says governors should only be removed by impeachment by the state assembly is back on the discussion table.

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 InterState 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.