ASSEMBLY POLL '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS '98
ARCHIVES

Inter-state council fails to agree on ways to prevent misuse of Article 356

The fifth meeting of the inter-state council today failed to resolve differences on ways to prevent misuse of Article 356 and directed the sub-committee, headed by Defence Minister George Fernandes, to evolve a consensus on the contentious issue.

The daylong meeting of the council, held after one-and-a-half years, saw sharp differences of view on the emergency powers conferred on the Centre under Article 356, with Tamil Nadu and Punjab demanding its abrogation. However, most states sought that the article be allowed to remain, with safeguards included to prevent its misuse.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and attended by chief ministers and ministers of all states, also approved the proposal that all state bills submitted to the Centre for approval be cleared within four months.

In his concluding remarks, the prime minister also expressed concern over the resolutions of the inter-state council not being implemented and directed the law ministry to take necessary steps in this direction.

"The ministry of law with the assistance of other ministries concerned should also take up an exercise to fine-tune laws for smoother centre-state interface," he said.

The inter-state council standing committee constituted a five-member committee, headed by Fernandes, to bring about a consensus on the safeguards necessary to prevent the misuse of the Article 356. However, the committee sought more time to arrive at a consensus.

The prime minister said there was no reason to be discouraged thought there were differences of perception on this article.

The council also accepted a suggestion from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh that a standing committee of the National Development Council be formed to provide suggestions on various issues. The standing committee can meet frequently on various issues, Home Minister L K Advani told reporters after the meeting. Referring to implementation of the Sarkaria Commission, Advani said that half the recommendations have been already been implemented.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Crucial meet to evolve consensus on Article 356
Vajpayee firm on improving Centre-state ties

Tell us what you think of this report