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Recalling Rajamannar Committee’s Blueprint in the Context of Federalism Debate
Federalism Debate Rekindled: The Powerful Legacy of the Rajamannar Committee
Introduction: Recent developments in Centre-State relations have reignited the federalism debate in India. Tamil Nadu CM M. K. Stalin has constituted a high-level committee headed by Justice Kurian Joseph to revisit Centre-State dynamics. This move echoes the earlier Rajamannar Committee Report (1969), which highlighted central overreach and erosion of state autonomy.
Background: The Rajamannar Committee Initiative
- Constituted in 1969 by then CM C. N. Annadurai.
- Formally known as the Centre-State Relations Inquiry Committee.
- Headed by Dr. P.V. Rajamannar, with members Dr. A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar and Justice P. Chandra Reddy.
- Mandate: To recommend steps to ensure “utmost autonomy of the State” in executive, legislative, and judicial domains, without compromising national integrity.
Key Concerns Raised by the Rajamannar Committee
- Over-Centralisation and Constitutional Discrepancies
- The Constitution is federal in structure but unitary in practice.
- States have become “administrative units of the Centre”.
- Articles 256, 257, and 365 empower the Centre to issue binding directions, compromising state sovereignty.
- Critique of Article 365
- Used to justify President’s Rule under Article 356.
- The committee recommended repeal of Article 356 due to its misuse in political manipulation and destabilising elected state governments.
- Recommendations to Strengthen Federalism
- Repeal of Article 356: Viewed as a tool for political centralisation and erosion of state mandates.
- Establishment of a Strong Inter-State Council
- To be formed under Article 263.
- Purpose: Facilitate cooperative federalism and resolve disputes through dialogue, not coercion.
- Control Over Financial Resources
- Planning Commission Criticism
- Described as a Centre-controlled body created through executive order.
- Accused of bypassing the Finance Commission, which has constitutional legitimacy.
- Grants and Plan Allocations
- Central grants are described as being at the “whims and fancies” of Planning Commission members.
- States have been reduced to “suppliants for aid” in their own jurisdictions.
- Triple threat identified: Central Planning + Massive Grants + Party Politics undermines federal balance.
- Redefining the Idea of a ‘Strong Centre’
- True strength, as per the report, lies in restraint and clarity of roles, not expansionism. Cited Annadurai’s critique (1967):
- The centre must be strong to safeguard sovereignty, not to interfere in state subjects like health or education.
- A strong military does not require centralised control over state-level services.
Contemporary Relevance and Stalin’s Federalism Push
- Current Context
- Stalin’s initiative is in response to perceived erosion of state powers under the BJP-led Central Government.
- Major flashpoints include:
- NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)
- GST compensation
- Delimitation issues
- Language policy and imposition
- Constitution of New Committee (2024)
- Led by Justice Kurian Joseph.
- Objective: To reassess legal frameworks and propose actionable reforms to reclaim state rights.
- Federal Commissions: A Pattern of Neglect
- Rajamannar Report (1971) submitted to PM Indira Gandhi, but never acted upon.
- Its recommendations were later echoed by:
- Sarkaria Commission (1988)
- Punchhi Commission (2010)
- Common fate: Shelved or partially implemented, indicating systemic reluctance to decentralise power.
