State committees typically don’t garner much notice, but the Rajamannar Committee is an exception. It was established by the Tamil Nadu government in 1969 to examine Center-State relations across the nation. The committee’s proposals and suggestions are still up for debate and discussion.
For this reason, we have thoroughly covered all of the Rajamannar Committee’s key recommendations and suggestions in this post. Please read this article through to the end if you came here to learn more about this committee in depth.
What & why was the Rajamannar Committee established?
The Tamil Nadu DMK administration did in fact create the Rajamannar Committee in 1969 with the intention of reviewing Centre-State relations in India and making recommendations to strengthen the federal system. More details are provided below:
- Justice P. V. Rajamannar, a former Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, served as the committee’s chair.
- It was made up of 12 people, comprising 12 different state legislators, academics, and legal professionals.
- In 1971, the committee delivered its report, which included various suggestions for enhancing Centre-State ties in India.
Below are some of the Rajamannar Committee’s most significant suggestions that we have added:
- A distinct division of authority between the center and the states, with the center only holding the authority required for the effective operation of the nation as a whole.
- The creation of a permanent body to settle conflicts between the Center and the states.
- The creation of a framework allowing the Center and the States to consult and work together on issues of shared concern.
- Although the report generated a lot of discussion and debate, the most of the suggestions were not carried out at the time.
- The 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution, which provided for greater devolution of powers to the states and the development of local self-government bodies, later included some of the concepts put out by the committee.
- In discussions on the history of center-state relations in India, the Rajamannar Committee report is frequently regarded as a key source.
The Rajamannar Committee’s importance
Significant effects of the Rajamannar Committee were felt in India’s Center-State relations. The following is a list of some of the committee’s main contributions:
- The committee raised concerns about federalism and emphasized the need for a more collaborative federal government.
- The committee’s proposals were made with the intention of giving states greater authority and decision-making autonomy.
- It sparked a discussion on federalism‘s principles and the distribution of power between the federal government and the states.
- The 42nd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, which attempted to give the states more authority, was based on the committee’s recommendations.
- It stressed the necessity of giving the states more budgetary autonomy and suggested setting up a separate finance committee to examine the fiscal agreements between the center and the states.
- To promote collaboration between the states and the center, the committee suggested establishing inter-state councils.
- It urged a reevaluation of the governor’s position and suggested that the governor serve as a conduit between the federal government and the states.
- Before making adjustments to the state list, the committee advised the center to engage the states.
- It suggested giving states more authority over subjects relating to law, order, and the police.
- The committee’s suggestions have been referenced frequently in subsequent discussions and debates over India’s federal system, and they have had an impact on how center-state relations have continued to develop.
Rationale of the Rajamannar Committee
The Rajamannar Committee issued a number of suggestions. Below, we’ve included a list of some of the most crucial:
- The states should have more and broader budgetary autonomy.
- More support from the Center should be given to the states as they develop their infrastructure projects.
- The Center ought to give the states additional funding for the advancement of health and education.
- The Finance Commission’s terms of reference ought to be updated.
- The Center should grant the states more latitude in managing their natural resources.
- Without the states’ permission, the Center shouldn’t tax them.
- The current method of funding distribution to the states has to be reevaluated.
- The Center needs to help the states expand their agricultural industries more.
- The Center needs to help the states develop their businesses with additional aid.
- The Center needs to support the states’ efforts to develop rural areas more.