4.4.1. The centre is likely to break

The rights of the states were most eloquently defended by K. Santhanam from Madras. A reallocation of powers was necessary, he felt, to strengthen not only the states but also the Centre. ‘There is almost an obsession that by adding all kinds of powers to the Centre we can make it strong.’ This was a misconception, said Santhanam. If the Centre was overburdened with responsibilities, it could not function effectively. By relieving it of some of its functions, and transferring them to the states, the Centre could, in fact, be made stronger.

K. Santhanam argued that concentrating too much power in the central government was problematic. He believed that strength does not come from piling on more responsibilities at the Centre but from distributing power more evenly between the central and state governments. By giving states more autonomy to manage their own affairs, the central government could focus on its crucial roles without being bogged down, ultimately leading to a more effective governing system.

Think of a team project where one person takes on too many tasks. The more responsibilities they add, the less effective they become at completing any one task. Instead, if the workload is shared among team members, everyone can perform better, leading to a more successful project.

As for the states, Santhanam felt that the proposed allocation of powers would cripple them. The fiscal provisions would impoverish the provinces since most taxes, except land revenue, had been made the preserve of the Centre. Without finances how could the states undertake any project of development? ‘I do not want any constitution in which the Unit has to come to the Centre and say ‘I cannot educate my people. I cannot give sanitation, give me a dole for the improvement of roads, of industries.’

Santhanam warned that if states were denied financial resources, they would struggle to provide essential services like education and infrastructure. This imbalance could lead to a weaker and less responsive administration at the state level, making it impossible for them to address their own developmental needs effectively. Essentially, a state without financial autonomy is like a school with no budget to hire teachers or improve facilities.

Imagine a small startup that needs funds to grow but has to rely solely on a larger company for money. If the larger company is slow in providing funds or decides not to invest, the startup can't thrive or even survive, leading to its potential collapse.

Santhanam predicted a dark future if the proposed distribution of powers was adopted without further scrutiny. In a few years, he said, all the provinces would rise in ‘revolt against the Centre’.

Santhanam highlighted a significant concern regarding the overcentralization of powers. He feared that if states continued to be stripped of their abilities to govern effectively and meet the needs of their citizens, discontent would rise among them. This discontent, he warned, could lead to a backlash against the central government, causing instability and conflict within the nation.

It's like a parent controlling every aspect of a teenager's life. Eventually, the teenager feels stifled and may rebel against the restrictions, leading to a breakdown in the parent-child relationship. In the same way, states may resist the central government if they can't make choices for their own development.

Many others from the provinces echoed the same fears. They fought hard for fewer items to be put on the Concurrent and Union lists. A member from Orissa warned that ‘the Centre is likely to break’ since powers had been excessively centralised under the Constitution.

The collective sentiment among provincial representatives was that a strong state government was crucial for local governance and effective administration. Their argument was for a constitution that recognized the importance of state powers in addressing local issues. By advocating for fewer central controls, they sought to ensure state governments had the authority to handle their affairs without excessive oversight from the Centre.

Think of a community garden where the city council decides everything about what can be grown and how. If the locals feel like they have no say in their own garden, they might lose motivation to take care of it. Giving locals control allows them to make decisions that reflect their needs and encourages active participation in maintaining the garden.

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