Give and get

Centre bends on NCTC,asserts itself on water true federalism is based on willingness to negotiate

Centre bends on NCTC,asserts itself on water true federalism is based on willingness to negotiate

The federalism question has loomed large in recent months,sometimes as a matter of principle,and sometimes as a struggle for advantage. It is obvious that old style command-and-control by the Centre is no longer possible,and yet,it is also clear that state governments often invoke federalism as a cover for narrower interests. However,on many unresolved fronts,from the NCTC to the GST,there is no way forward that does not involve accommodation from both sides.

The Union government has now significantly modified its plans for the National Counter-Terrorism Centre,after as many as 15 chief ministers,including the Congresss own,protested its wide ambit. It will no longer be placed under the Intelligence Bureau a body that is exempt from parliamentary oversight. While acknowledging the need for a unified anti-terror apparatus,several states had expressed their discomfort with the proposed NCTCs powers to search,seize and arrest,which threatened to cut into their policing responsibilities. The Centre has assured them that these powers will be used only in the rarest circumstances,and will involve the state DGPs as fully as possible. It remains to be seen whether these amendments will pacify the states. It does signal the Centres realisation that it cannot move forward without their support. However,in some cases,solutions arent purely localised. There has been much talk of moving water out of the State List,into the Concurrent or Union List. MPs across the political spectrum have asked for a constitutional amendment and the idea has been discussed by the Planning Commission and long been advocated by the water resources ministry. Section 17 of the State List gives them control over water supplies,irrigation and canals,drainage and embankments,water storage and water power,though the Centre has the right to decide inter-state water-sharing disputes,in the larger interest. The problem is not of irrigation or power alone. The depleting water table,regional scarcities and climate change-related stresses mean that we need a comprehensive view of water,and allow for long-term planning. Allowing the Centre a decisive say in water governance seems vital though it is far from certain that states will cede that right.

Politics in India has moved to a more participatory model,an umbrella of diverse interests. At the same time,governance must acquire a new agility. That calls for an intelligent coordination between state and Centre,a willingness to negotiate,and the realisation that it is not a zero-sum game.