Discuss the recommendations of Rajamannar Commission

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Rajamannar Commission

The Tamil Nadu government established the Rajamannar committee to analyze and provide recommendations for restructuring the Centre-State relations in our Constitution.
The committee consisted of the retired Chief Justice of Madras High Court Justice. P.V.Rajamannar, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Madras, Dr A Lakshmanaswamy and a former Chief Justice of Andhra, Dr P. Chandra Reddy.
It submitted its report to the government in 1971 marking a great milestone in the history of autonomy debate in the country.

Article 263 of the Constitution should be implemented and Inter-State Council should be formed to promote cooperation among central and State Governments.
All the major bills of the Parliament and decisions of the Union Government that affect the interests of one or more States must be placed and discussed in the council.
Its opinion should be considered in the decision-making process.
The committee made a consultation with the Inter-State Council is mandatory in all matters barring those related to the two subjects, namely defence and foreign affairs.

The committee recommended the elimination of articles 256, 257, and 339(2) from our Constitution.
The committee was against specifically these articles as they enable the Centre to issue instructions to the State Governments

It favoured the shifting of the residuary powers of legislation and taxation from the Union Government to the State Governments to empower the States.
Article 356 in Part XVIII of the Constitution should be diligently used by the Union Government only as a measure of last resort in the event of a complete breakdown of the Constitutional machinery in the State and not in a mere law and order break down the situation.

The committee wanted to introduce far-reaching changes in All India Services.
It suggested the abolition of All India Services including the elite Indian Administrative Service as they are against the spirit of federalism and State autonomy.
It highlighted the concerns of the State Governments ruled by opposition parties of the ruling party at the Centre about the All-India Services acting as agents of the Union Government.

In the domain of financial resources, the committee recommended greater devolution of powers and resources to the States.
For the purpose of expanding the financial capacity of the States, it suggested changes in certain taxes like corporation tax, and customs and export taxes.
The committee recognized the finances as the fulcrum of State rights and balanced federalism and therefore recommended the transfer of many items from Union List and Concurrent List to the State List in the seventh schedule of the Constitution.

It argued for making the Finance Commission a permanent, impartial body devoted to the priorities of national unity, development and State rights and identities.

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