Latest news with #ConcurrentListConstitutionalism
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Need for devolution of more powers to rural and urban local bodies stressed
Eminent jurists and scholars underlined the need for devolution of more powers to rural and urban local bodies for elected representatives to discharge their duties within the constitutional framework. Speaking at Lawgical connect, a panel discussion on Concurrent List Constitutionalism, organised by the Sastra Deemed University Law School here, senior advocate C. S. Vaidyanathan said that amid turbulence in neighbouring countries, the Indian Constitution had stood the test of time. Detailing three major amendments to the Constitution, he said the 73rd Amendment, which sought to devolve more powers to local bodies was one that touched the common man the most. He spoke on the need for rationalising the cess and surcharges collected and utilise them to create better social infrastructure with more involvement of the urban and rural local bodies. Senior Advocate Arvind P. Datar said that the Constitution was like a joint family where the Centre was the kartha and the States the co-parceners. In the light of the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, he said that it was important to remember that above everything else 'we must always think about a united India. We should set aside all differences and must think of working unitedly' . Speaking about the tax aspect in our federal structure, he said there was a growing sense that the Centre was getting more from cess and surcharges collected and that it was not being shared with the States. There should be devolution of finances from the Centre to states. He opined that the freebies being promised and given was worrisome. Arghya Sengupta, founder and scholar, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, said that while the Constitution dealt with a vast variety of subjects, it did not speak about some new subjects like AI and it needed to be reviewed. He said that a stronger articulation of the third tier in the Constitution was needed. It is critical for us to understand that it is in the interest of the people that State, union and panchayats serve, he added. Advocate and moderator Amrith Bhargav and Sastra Vice Chancellor were present on the occasion.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘3-tier cooperative federalism need of hour'
Trichy: Eminent jurists and legal scholars agreed on the need for cooperative federalism in a three-dimensional manner that underscores the role of Centre, state and rural panchayats and municipalities to discharge public duties within the constitutional framework. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking at LAWGICAL CONNECT, a panel discussion on Concurrent List Constitutionalism organised by SASTRA deemed university law school at Chennai, senior advocates C S Vaidyanathan, Arvind Datar and legal scholars, prof. Arghya Sengupta and Amrith Bhargav were in unanimity on the strong and robust constitutional framework that post-independent India adopted. Citing the turbulence in neighbouring countries, C S Vaidyanathan explained how India's Constitution has stood its test of time. He also spoke on the need to rationalise cess and surcharge utilisation to enrich the social infrastructure with more involvement of panchayats and municipalities. He added that states can make new civil and criminal laws for better justice administration which will receive natural assent. Prof Arghya Sengupta echoed similar views suggesting a three-tier system strengthening Centre-state-rural governance model. He added that the constitutional journey in the last 75 years has seen different models of govt. There is a need to understand various models of devolutionary power which no longer can be the same as it were during the planning commission times which many viewed as unconstitutional. Arvind Datar compared the Constitution as a joint family with 'the Union govt as the Kartha, the state govts as coparceners,' and underscored the importance of a united family under the constitutional canvas in the light of the recent act of terrorism at Kashmir He added that the rising share of union revenue from cess and surcharge makes the case stronger for more development projects like the golden quadrilateral highway project. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Datar stressed the importance of intra-state federalism which is as important as states wanting a share from the union pool. SASTRA vice-chancellor Dr S Vaidhyasubramaniam welcomed the gathering, tracing the history of Lawgical Connect and how it was instrumental in creating enlightened vigilantism on NJAC, Black Money Law, Uniform Civil Code, Article 370, etc.
