New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked States to focus on intelligence sharing which will help the country stay “alert” and “updated” in countering internal security challenges.
Addressing the Inter-State Council meeting, convened after a gap of 10 years, the Prime Minister told the Chief Ministers that “we should focus on how we can make our country prepared to counter challenges to our internal security.”
Mr. Modi said internal security cannot be strengthened until and unless the States and the Centre focus on sharing intelligence.
“We have to remain alert and updated always,” he said.
He said the nation can only progress if the Centre and state governments worked together.
The ISC provides a forum to discuss policies and is certainly the most significant platform to strengthen Centre-state and inter-state relations, he said.
Modi said discussions with chief ministers and others would help in building strong Centre-state relations.
"The nation can progress only if the union and state governments walk shoulder to shoulder. It would be difficult for any government to successfully implement a scheme on its own.
"Therefore, provision of adequate financial resources is as important as the responsibility for implementation.
"There are only a few occasions when the leadership of the Centre and the states assembles together.
"This forum of cooperative federalism is the perfect setting to deliberate on the interests of the people, address their problems and take collective and concrete decisions.
"It highlights the vision of the makers of our Constitution," the Prime Minister said.
The meeting, held for the first time after 2006, will discuss internal security, recommendations of the Punchhi Commission on harmonizing Centre-state relations, the Aadhaar card and the use of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for subsidies.
Modi said with the acceptance of the 14th Finance Commission recommendations, the states' share in central taxes had increased from 32 to 42 per cent.
"This means that states now have greater financial resources to utilize in accordance with their requirements.
"The total amount received by states from the Centre during 2015-16 is 21 per cent higher than the amount received in 2014-15.
"Similarly, Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies will receive 2.87 lakh crore rupees during the period of the 14th Finance Commission, which is substantially higher than last time," he said.
Modi also spoke on education, saying it should generate curiosity among children.
"It should teach them how to attain and enhance knowledge. It should motivate them to continuously keep learning throughout their lives."
He said the Centre and states should equip youths with at least some skill-sets. "We have to prepare our youth to think logically, think out of the box, and work creatively."
Chief Ministers of all States, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories and 17 Union Ministers are members of the Inter-State Council.
For the first time, Mr Modi was interacting with all Chief Ministers on a single platform ever since he assumed the charge two years ago.
The Prime Minister said the meeting of the Council would deliberate on internal security challenges and how to counter them and how states the states and the Centre can cooperate.
“With close cooperation, we will not only strengthen the Centre-State relations but make a better future for the citizens,” he said.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav, belonging to the Samajwadi Party, and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of the Congress did not participate in the meeting.
Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, which is witnessing turmoil following violent protests after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani also did not participate in the meeting. Ms. Mehbooba belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party.
