Chennai/Hyderabad – Top legal experts and scholars gathered in Chennai on Monday to emphasize the importance of strong cooperation between the central government, state governments, and local bodies like panchayats and municipalities. They agreed that India needs a three-level governance model to effectively serve the public within the framework of the Constitution.
The discussion took place during a panel event called ‘Lawgical Connect’, hosted by Sastra Deemed University Law School. The topic was ‘Concurrent List Constitutionalism’, focusing on how different levels of government share responsibilities in India.
Leading the conversation were senior advocates C S Vaidyanathan and Arvind Datar, along with legal scholars Prof. Arghya Sengupta and Amrith Bhargav. All four praised the strength and resilience of India’s post-independence constitutional structure.
C S Vaidyanathan pointed out how unstable conditions in neighboring countries highlight the success of India’s Constitution. He emphasized the need to better manage cess and surcharge funds, suggesting these should be used more transparently to improve social infrastructure. He also encouraged more involvement from local governments in decision-making.
Vaidyanathan further noted that states have the power to create their own civil and criminal laws, which can enhance justice delivery. According to him, such laws will naturally gain approval if they align with constitutional principles.
Prof. Sengupta supported the idea of a three-tier federal system, where the Centre, States, and local governments work together closely. He stressed that such a model would make governance more effective and inclusive.
Arvind Datar offered a unique analogy. He compared the Indian Constitution to a joint family, where the Union Government acts as the head (‘kartha’) and the State Governments are like family members with shared responsibilities. He said this unity is especially crucial in light of recent events like the terror attack in Kashmir.
Overall, the panel agreed that cooperative federalism is essential for India’s continued progress. They called for better coordination and mutual respect among all levels of government to ensure the Constitution continues to serve the people well.
