Need To Re-Look 7th Schedule Of Constitution: NK Singh

The Schedule defines and specifies allocation of powers and functions between Centre and States

To strengthen fiscal federalism, there is a need to re-look at the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, which defines and specifies the allocation of powers and functions between the Centre and the States, undertake deeper rationalisation of these Centrally Sponsored Schemes and rejuvenate and rekindle Inter-State Council, according to NK Singh, Chairman, 15th Finance Commission.

“ The nature of governance has changed fundamentally. Is it, for instance, reasonable for any Prime Minister while visiting a State to explain that he cannot provide any support for drinking water, improved power supply or enhanced agriculture because the subject happens to be in List II of the 7th Schedule belonging to the State.

“This is not a practical proposition because the Constitution must serve and must adopt these to the changing expectations of the people,” Singh said at the 17th LK Jha Memorial Lecture organised by the Reserve Bank of India.

He observed that people invest confidence both at the National and State level in the political leadership that seeks to garner electoral support.

“...the nature of polity, technology, increasingly aspirational society, the demographic profile and the power of technology has dramatically altered the contours of the Constitution.