NEW DELHI- Taming of the Chief Ministers

Taming of the Chief Ministers B M THE passing of a resolution by a majority vote at a conference of Chief Ministers is something which is simply not clone. That was at least the position till the other day when a conference of Chief Ministers convened by the Union Finance Minister to discuss the question of replacing sales tax by additional excise duties was held. But this wholesome and time-honoured tradition and convention, wholly in tune with the spirit and letter of the Indian constitution and necessary for conducting Centre-state relations on healthy lines and in the spirit of co-operation and not confrontation, was thrown to the winds with extraordinary arrogance and cynicism at this conference. The consequences of this can only be grave and far-reaching for the federal system and the polity. They transcend the rather limited question of replacing sales tax by excise duties or even the wider question of Centre-state financial relations.