Emphasising the need for devolution of resources from the Centre to the states, Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal aired his disappointment at the “imbalance” in centre-state relations, particularly in terms of allocation of funds for development. Chief guest at the event, Badal was speaking at the concluding session of the north-western regional workshop on centre-state relations held at Panjab University on Thursday. “Revenue raising powers are concentrated in the hands of the Centre and it should adopt a more rational approach regarding devolution of taxes to the states. Developed states were being victimised for fund allocation, most of which is given to backward states, making it difficult to maintain the growth trajectory,” he stated. Speaking on the occasion, Ramesh Inder Singh, Punjab Chief Secretary said, “Some of the policies of the Planning and Finance Commission and the allocation formulae adopted tend to put certain states at a disadvantage. States that are bailing out the country should be given more money for capital investment on maintenance and infrastructure, yet states that are lagging behind are being allocated more resources.” The session was chaired by R R Shah, Member Secretary of the Planning Commission. In the backdrop of the recent Mumbai attacks, Badal said, “The only way to make your opponent irrelevant is to continue with your economic resurgence and maintain a 7-9 per cent growth trajectory.” Dr S S Gill, professor of Economics, Punjabi University and Dr Anjan Roy, Advisor (Economics and Research), FICCI, also addressed the delegates.
