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Journalism of Courage
New Delhi, April 4: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said it was a “historic necessity” to change the Constitution of the country in order to achieve greater federal vibrancy.
"The review of the Constitution… is aimed at the realisation of economic, political and cultural federalism in the country," Badal said at the seventh meeting of the Standing Committee of Inter-State Council here.
Stating that his party, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), was the first to suggest review of the Constitution, he said “our stance was initially frowned upon by those in power at that time but I am glad subsequent events vindicated our position."
Stressing the urgent need to address Centre-State relationship, Badal said `co-operation between the two should be increased as otherwise it would affect the functional efficiency of our country."
Referring to Article 356, he said it undermined the country’s federal union.
On the pricing of agricultural products, Badal suggested that a team of agricultural economists should go into the question of costs and prices of the products every year and its report should be given full weightage while announcing Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
The MSP should be linked to the general price index and the views of those involved in farm produce should be taken into account while deciding the prices, the Chief Minister added.
