The Hindu Business Line : States urge Centre to rewrite Constitution

If the "core structure" of the Constitution is firmly secured, changes can be made without attracting adverse judicial notice. No doubt States are assured of certain sources of income, but they may naturally like to tap additional revenue-yielding sources such as service tax. This is possible if tax-based items are transferred to the `Concurrent' or `State' lists in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Recently, certain issues such as the continuance of the Ninth Schedule have been the subject of discussion. The Law Commission has made certain recommendations. The Constitution Review Committee has also made certain tangible points. It has suggested that a high-power Constitution Review Committee be appointed, its recommendations debated in Parliament and national-level seminars and consensus obtained for possible amendments to the Constitution.

T. S. Sundareswaran, New Delhi

While framing the Constitution, phrases such as globalisation, global economy, global village, Internet, World Wide Web (WWW), communication revolution, Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and the like were unknown to the Constitution-makers. Since the Constitution came into being in 1950, State governments have been feeling that they are deprived of powers to levy more taxes which are now under the control of the Central Government.

Though the Constitution has stood the test of time, opinion has been gaining ground in recent years that it has not addressed issues relating to the financial powers of the States adequately, as they are mainly vested with the Centre.

The Constitution needs to be recast in view of the changed circumstances, taking into account Centre-State relations, conflict between the judiciary and the executive, etc. While rewriting the Constitution, it should be ensured that the objectives of the Preamble are not diluted.

S. Nallasivan, Tirunelveli

The demand to rewrite the Constitution comes in the wake of Supreme Court's verdict on the Ninth Schedule. But rewriting the Constitution for the sake of circumventing a court decision may not be advisable. If the Government feels committed to its people, it should find some other way, say, amend the Constitution so as to leave the reservation issue to the States.

A. Jacob Sahayam, Thiruvananthapuram

As far as India is concerned, the Constitution is not merely an instrument for governance but a document representing the aspirations and hopes of a billion people. I do not think many States will support the idea of rewriting it. After all, even if a new one is written, changes may have to be made taking into account the the prevailing situation.

T. R. Anandan, Coimbatore

Responses to Sticklish Issues dated January 15

"It will be my phone." That's what everybody seems to say when Steve Jobs unveiled iPhone. The iPod, phone and Internet communicator packed in a single device, seems to have caught everybody's attention.

However it might take another two years for it to be available in Asia, one of the largest mobile markets, at an affordable price. With the long (two years) gestation period, it might lose some of its appeal and face competition from other vendors.

Eashwar Natarajan, Chennai

More Stories on : Politics | Sticklish Issues

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Biz leaders shine in Padma awards list

Source of all catastrophe

When knowledge economy spills over to public places

Allocation and valuation of shares

States urge Centre to rewrite Constitution

Market research

Perseverance is the key to success

Just Do IT

Number Crunch

Safety net for equity investors

Opportunities for CAs in the capital market