Prof P. C. Mavalankar : He made a point in his speech that he will mention about the Centre-State relations.
Shri Yashwantrao Chavan : Yes, I said. I will like to make a mention about it.
I personally consider that we need a very reasonably strong Centre. There is no doubt about it and we cannot ignore the Centre. But at the same time any strength to the Centre at the cost of the States is something which we do not welcome. The States strength is also equally important. Particularly when most of the developmental activities and responsibilities are with the State Governments. There are some States which are poor. Some States are small. Some States have not got any possibility of having flexibility of resources and, therefore, it is absolutely essential that this matter of financial viability of the States capacity to look after the complete developmental programme be seriously discussed from year to year, not only once. It needs to be discussed at the national level. I would like Parliament to set aside some special time and discuss this matter because merely making autonomy an issue is not enough. We would certainly want the Centre of a reasonable strength.
We do not want a weak Centre. We do not want to weaken the Centre. But strengthening the Centre at the cost of the States would be against the interest of India, because this will certainly strike at the very roots of India’s unity.
The speech of the Finance Minister, the other day, expressed his disappointment that he could not do anything about taking away the Sales Tax from the States. That is the only tax which is somewhat expansive and flexible which is giving some sort of resources to the States. Abolition of Sales Tax is part of Janata Party’s manifesto. This shows the party’s character and policy. They cannot do it and they will never be able to do it because Sales Tax is a very important source of tax to the States. They should not take away the Sales Tax. But I know the trading class in the country is very much worried about it. It becomes rather inconvenient to them. It is their interest that ruling party want to protect. They have, therefore, put it in their manifesto. Fiance Minister is sorry that he cannot do away with it now. But he is asking us for patience. Well, I would like to say that we are showing patience, that is good for him. Once we start showing impatience about these wrong approaches to these problems, I do not know where the country will be.