States' powers being eroded in matters of finance & key appointments: Punjab CM

New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday expressed concern over certain erosion of the State's powers, leading to a weakening of the Centre-State relations in the federal structure.

Participating in a discussion at the HT Summit 2018, the Chief Minister made it clear that he had no problems working with the Centre, from whom it had been receiving full cooperation, but added that the state was facing some issues, particularly in matters of finance and key appointments.

Capt Amarinder Singh was joined by Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the discussion, steered by reporter Anand Narasimhan.

Setting the tone for the discussion, Capt Amarinder said control had been taken away from the states and he did not have the power even to appoint his own DGP but had to send a list of names to UPSC. "Do they know better than us," he asked, adding that his government was challenging the issue of DGP appointment in the Supreme Court. The Maharashtra CM said his government would back Punjab on the plea as he fully agreed with Capt Amarinder Singh that states should have the freedom to appoint their own DGPs. The states were not consulted in the matter of appointment of judges, Capt Amarinder Singh further said, adding that while earlier the state used to send its recommendations now it was being only given the names.

In response to a question on drugs, he stressed the need for a national policy, which he said he had been pursuing with the Centre. Pakistan was pushing drugs through the borders to demolish the youth in the northern states, he said, pointing to the fact that drugs were being sent to Amritsar from Gujarat even though they could fetch better prices in Delhi and Mumbai.