The Hindu : Karnataka News : Inter-State Council should focus on development: Dharam Singh

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Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Inter-State Council should focus on development: Dharam Singh

By Our Special Correspondent

The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh (left), greeting the Union Minister for Home, Shivraj Patil, at the 10th meeting of standing committee of the Inter-State Council in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh, is seen.

BANGALORE, MARCH 29. The State has called for freeing Centre-State relations from the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission without, however, suggesting the setting up of a new commission or the like.

The plea was made by the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, while addressing the 10th meeting of the standing committee of the Inter-State Council in New Delhi on Tuesday.

(It is of interest that the Union Government constituted in 1983 the Commission on Centre-State relations headed by the former judge of the Supreme Court, R.S. Sarkaria, soon after a meeting of the Chief Ministers of the southern States convened by the former Chief Minister, late Ramakrishna Hegde.)

Mr. Dharam Singh noted that the purpose of the Inter-State Council is to provide a forum to discuss subjects of common interest to the Centre and the States and make recommendations for better coordination and policy. "Unfortunately, for the last many years, the Inter-State Council has been struggling to find a consensus on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission."

No doubt many of the Sarkaria Commission recommendations are important and have far reaching impact.

But it should be realised that momentous changes are taking place, and issues of crucial importance for the speedy development and removal of poverty have to be discussed. "Therefore, I would suggest that we should free ourselves from the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission which have occupied the bulk of the time and attention of the Inter-State Council," he said.

Mr. Dharam Singh also wanted the Council to discuss issues such as the initiatives to be taken by the States on good governance so that citizens will benefit through better services.

It is necessary to harness new technology, including IT and communication technology, to simplify government procedures and improve the interface with the citizens.

The State Government has taken the lead through the Bangalore-I Project scheduled for inauguration on April 2.

Under that project, 24 services of various departments would be provided through the Bangalore-I centres which would act as a single window for providing services to the citizens.

Through those centres, it would be possible to make payment of water, electricity, telephone and municipal bills.

Mr. Dharam Singh also said that the Government has proposed the setting up of Karnataka Disaster Management Authority and legislation would be adopted in that regard.

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