ANALYSIS
The case has now reached the Supreme Court, whose help is being increasingly sought in all affairs constitutional
The relationship between the Centre and the states in India is a delicate one. Given the incredibly diverse nature of the country, not to mention its sheer size and linguistic variation, it cannot be any other way. The framers of the Indian Constitution were fully conscious of the need for a strong Centre. They made suitable legislative, administrative and financial provisions in the Constitution designed to give the Central government adequate powers to cope with all threats. But in doing so, they also recognised that state governments were not mere agents of the Centre. They were invested with extensive powers so that each state may be free to pursue its own way of life and develop its resources without hindrance.
So, unity in diversity was reconciled in a way fair to all parties concerned. This federal arrangement has, by and large, worked smoothly in the last seven decades or so. But every now and then, there is a ripple, which threatens to disturb this arrangement. The attempt by a CBI team to interrogate the Kolkata police commissioner on Sunday, in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam, reflects this breakdown. The Kolkata Police Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, had reportedly declined summons to present himself before the CBI headquarters in Delhi in connection with the Saradha scam. Kumar, who headed a Special Investigation team (SIT) to probe the scandal, was reportedly in possession of a diary and some pendrives that had been seized at the Saradha office during the course of the raids. The CBI’s charge is that these incriminating pieces of evidence had gone missing, hence it was important to interview the police commissioner. Since the officer did not turn up, a CBI team landed in Kolkata.
Whatever the merits of the case, there can be no sight more unsavoury than a CBI team being pushed around by the Kolkata Police — both the forces are committed to law and order, belong to the same country and paid from the state exchequer. For Central and state forces to come to blows is a sad reflection and a sorry commentary on the state of Indian federalism. Even worse was the sight of the Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee sitting on a protest dharna “in order to save the Constitution and the federal structure.” The case has now reached the Supreme Court, whose help is being increasingly sought in all affairs constitutional.
The Centre is well within its rights to claim that the CBI is entitled to question who it needs to, given the demands of a case. The state government too is empowered to protect its officers from any unreasonable pressure that may be imposed on them from any quarter, including the central government. Usually, such matters are tackled in consultation. There are cadres of elite IAS officers, whose job it is to go between the Centre and the state. It is also instructive to remember that while the relationship between the Centre and states is well chronicled — best reflected in the Sarkaria Commission findings — there remains certain grey areas. Maybe, it now needs the Supreme Court’s touch to put things in black and white.
Meet Akshara Singh, the queen of Bhojpuri cinema
UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait close airspace as Iran launches airstrikes on US base in Qatar
Dilip Doshi, former Indian spinner, passes away in London aged 77
Viral Video: Iran launches airstrikes on US base in Qatar, incident caught on camera, WATCH
Tamil actor Srikanth arrested by Chennai police after purchasing drugs worth Rs...
How Sonam Yadav, a labourer's daughter, became star of India's U-19 World Cup winning team
Rishabh Pant-Sanjiv Goenka memes trend again after wicketkeepers' twin tons in Leeds Test
Meet man who studied with Google CEO Sundar Pichai at IIT Bombay, later became monk due to...
Rishabh Pant scripts history with two tons in 2 innings in England, becomes first Indian to...
Meet Jeffrey Mark Overly, Sona Comstar’s new Chairman, Sunjay Kapur’s wife Priya Sachdev to work as…
Iran-Israel War: Tehran threatens to attack US military bases in Middle East, they are located in...
Meet Padma Shri Dr Soniya Nityanand, doctor par excellence
Gautam Adani's company achieves major milestone, commissions India’s 1st...
After 128 years, cricket set to make historic return to..., ICC chairman Jay Shah says...
Meet woman, worked as a content writer, later joined BCCI as..., she is team India’s only female...
Prithvi Shaw takes BIG decision ahead of upcoming domestic cricket season, applies for...
Air India news: Did airline cancel your flight? Here is how you can claim refund or reschedule it
Israel-Iran War: Will fresh attack on Fordow nuclear site trigger wider regional conflict?
When MS Dhoni's daughter Ziva got a signed gift from Lionel Messi, pic goes viral again
Anil Ambani makes BIG move as this company settles its entire debt, pays Rs 2730000000 to...
Has US destroyed Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities as claimed by Donald Trump? IAEA says...
Training the healthcare professionals of tomorrow: Role of Poltekkes Kemenkes
Plexus Launches Advanced Aquatic Therapy Unit in Bangalore
Israel-Iran War: What is Strait of Hormuz? Will Iran block it? It may impact India by...
Vladimir Putin issues big statement after being asked why Russia isn't helping Iran, his reply...
Salman Khan suffers from AVM, brain aneurysm: How serious is his condition?
Anupamaa: Massive fire destroys sets of Rupali Ganguly's show hours before filming, probe underway
This luxury car is first choice of Indians, even left BMW, Jaguar, Audi behind in sales, it is...
Who is Tommy Genesis? Rapper who sparked outrage with her portrayal of goddess Kali in 'True Blue'
FACT CHECK: Did US military jets use Indian airspace to launch attacks on Iran? Government says...
Syria: Suicide bomber attacks church near Damascus, killing 20 and injuring dozens, govt blames ISIS
Bad news for this sector as over 21000 jobs in India at risk due to...; linked to China's...
Elon Musk’s Tesla set to open first-ever showroom in India on...; starting with...
BIG update on 82-km Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, Namo Bharat train now completes...; check details