CM Stalin forms panel led by ex-SC judge to examine Centre-state relations

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on April 15 announced the formation of a high-level committee, led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph, to study and recommend measures aimed at strengthening Centre-State relations. One key focus of the committee is the proposal to return education to the State List of the Constitution.

In his statement in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, CM Stalin revealed that the committee would submit its interim report by January 2026, with a final report expected within two years. The three-member panel will also include former IAS officer Ashok Vardhan Shetty and Professor Naganathan, the former Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Commission.

The committee will conduct a comprehensive review of the Indian Constitution and examine previous recommendations made by expert panels regarding Centre-State dynamics, starting with the Rajamannar Committee Report of 1971 and continuing through to the M.M. Punchhi Commission report of 2004.

Emphasizing Tamil Nadu's historical role in defending constitutional values and federal principles, CM Stalin highlighted that the committee’s findings will not only benefit Tamil Nadu but will also be valuable to other states across India—from Gujarat to the Northeast and from Kashmir to Kerala.

Stalin referred to the views of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and U.S. Constitution framer James Madison to underscore the importance of a strong federal structure, advocating for autonomous state governments within a unified national framework.

This move comes amid ongoing tensions between the DMK-led state government and the BJP-led Central government, particularly over contentious issues such as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which the Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed. It also follows recent strains between CM Stalin and Governor R.N. Ravi, who was reprimanded by the Supreme Court for unduly delaying assent to several state bills. Some of these bills, including 10 key university-related legislations, had been pending for over five years but were finally granted assent following a recent Supreme Court ruling.

With IANS inputs