Haryana/National News- Hamid Ansari inaugurates Conference on Federalisms and Localisms at OP Jindal Global University
Author(s): SK VyasM. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda sharing a point during the International Conference on “Federalisms v. Localisms Competing Demands Conflicting Aspirations”...
New Delhi/Jalandhar, October 10, 2013: Vice President Hamid Ansari has said that there should be adequate participation of citizens in the formulation and implementation of policies relating to citizens. Inaugurating the Conference on Federalisms and Localisms at O.P.Jindal Global University in Sonipat today, Ansari said that Federalism requires flexibility, cooperation, tolerance and accommodation of political, societal and economic complexities. He said that in the critical decisions relating to the citizens, they should have a role. Otherwise it gives rise to militant nationalism that threatens the concept of unity in diversity.
Ansari said that during past twenty five years, on three occasions the functioning of the features offederal structure was reviewed. In 1988 Sarkaria Commission, in 2002 Venkatachaliah Commission and in 2010 Punchi Commission expressed their views on devolution and decentralization and said that alongwith political will, there is need to empower the Panchayats and Municipalities to make them autonomous institutions of self-governance.
Congratulating the University on organizing Conference on such an important subject, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hoodasaid that Federalism in our country is an ideal political arrangement for a society of ethnic and other diversities. Our diversity is our greatest strength and a great cementing force for national unity. Hooda said that our constitution makers decided to give the Centre a key role to keep the country together and gave powers to the States to govern and to progress on their own paths of development. Decentralization and Local Governance are crucial aspects of our democracy, he said.
Hooda said that federal set up of the country has allowed the State of Haryana to tap its potential and frame its own unique policies, so as to ensure an all-round development of the State. After achieving statehood in 1966, the elected governments of the State concentrated on issues important for its growth. In 1966-67 the plan budget of the State was Rs. 27 crore, which reached Rs. 26000 crore in 2013-14.Haryana today is not only a leading State in agriculture, but is also an advanced Industrial State. Because of the robust infrastructure and friendly Industrial policies. Haryana today is the home to a number of Indian and Multi-national Companies.
Hooda said that in a federal set up division of power between the States and the Centre is a challenging task. Besides State governance, another aspect of federalism is local governance by institutions, such as Municipal bodies and Panchayats, which need to be empowered. They should have sufficient powers and should ensure that all sections of the society are adequately represented. The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had laid stress on empowerment of Panchayats. Hooda said that for the benefit of the nation, the Centre and the States need to work together, so as to enable the States to progress on the path of development. Hooda expressed of hope that the results of deliberations of the Conference will be useful.
Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries the Chancellor of University Naveen Jindal that the subject is quite important and the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had also taken concrete steps for devolution and strengthening of Panchayats. Success of decentralization lies in the participation of local people.
The President of the Conference and Rajya Sabha member Manishanker Aiyar said that the purpose of federalism is celebration of ethnic diversity.
The Vice Chancellor of University Raj Kumar gave welcome speech and Secretary General Europaeum, Oxford Dr. Paul Flather gave vote of thanks.
Those present on this occasion also included Political Advisor to Haryana, Professor Virender Singh, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi University, Mirpur Mahender Kumar, Rohtak Commissioner ChanderParkash, I.G. Anil Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Chander Shekhar and S.P. Arun Singh. www.cityairnews.com