PM asks states to focus on intel sharing for internal security

Speaking at the Inter-State Council meeting in Delhi, where he arrived a bit late, Kejriwal demanded that a resolution be passed which would make consulting the Chief Ministers mandatory before the appointment of Governors/LGs in their states.

During the meeting it was decided that the recommendations of the Commission on Centre-State relations headed by ex-Chief Justice of India M.M. Punchhi will be first referred to the Standing Committee and with their recommendations be placed before the Council.

In his address, Home Minister Rajnath Singh also dwelt on the importance of cooperative federalism and said the central government was committed to the ideal of centre-state cooperation. “The most unsafe exhibition of this tendency is seen in how the Centre has been quietly shifting subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List and from the Concurrent to the Union List which amounts to constitutional rampage”, he said.

Modi thanked all the participating Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors for their suggestions and views expressed on various agenda items discussed at the meeting, and expressed happiness at the near-total acceptance of Aadhaar as a tool to promote good governance and transparency. He said that we cannot strengthen the internal security until we focus on sharing intelligence, equip our police with modern weapon and technology and ensure great coodinatoin among agencies. “As internal security challenges increase, we must enhance our counter-capabilities and remain alert and updated”.

The Council had last met in 2006.

He said the nation can only progress if the Centre and state governments worked together.

He said the Inter-State Council is certainly the most significant platform for strengthening Centre-State and Inter-State relations. He also asked the States to use each others best practices to bring reforms. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party, his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti could not attend the meeting.

Making his concluding remarks at the end of day-long conference convened after 10 years, he said that the deliberations on the same by chief ministers of various states marked a “good beginning”. “We have to prepare our youth to think logically, think out of the box, and work creatively”, he said. “The increased dialogue and connect has culminated in this gathering today”, said he. As on date, 102 crore Aadhaar cards have been distributed in our country of 128 crore people. These will be of tremendous value.

Pitching for Aadhaar and direct cash transfers, he said the simple Aadhaar card has become a symbol of empowerment. Sikkim has been especially fortunate in having its efforts in promoting organic farming being especially recognized by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, in his speeches, both within the country and overseas. “If all states decide to reduce kerosene consumption by 25 per cent, and actually do so, they can receive about 1600 crore rupees as grant this year”, he said.