Srinagar, Aug 28: Accusing Centre of tightening its grip over states, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has claimed that the eighth inter-state council meeting here "by and large" reached a consensus on the Sarkaria Commission`s recommendations on imposing President`s rule and sanctions against states, despite reservations expressed by Congress. Asserting his reservations on the issue, Singh said Sarkaria Commission was set up to look into divesting more administrative and financial powers to the states so that they can shape their own destiny but the Centre is acting contrary to that and strengthening its grip around the states.

"They (Centre) are going in the reverse direction. I don`t understand why do we need Articles 356 and 365 of the constitution when we already have Articles 256 and 257 which says that whatever decisions Parliament takes, the states will adhere by them", Singh said. Asked if a decision on the commission`s recommendations would be taken during this meet, Singh told reporters after the four-hour meeting yesterday: "By and large a consensus has been reached and we are going to push it through ... It is another thing we had objections and we made them known."

Singh said that he along with other Congress chief ministers and representatives of the party-ruled states had registered their objections to the Centre`s move but denied that the discussion was held along the party lines.

The Chief Minister said Centre was consolidating its position instead of giving more powers to the states which was the envisaged purpose of the Sarkaria Commission. Bureau Report