The Supreme Court Today (April 8th) emphasized the importance of harmony between the Union and State governments, urging the Central government to address the petition filed by the Karnataka government requesting the release of drought relief funds.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India today, underscored the importance of cooperation over conflict between the Union and state governments as it required the Central government to respond to a plea submitted by the Karnataka government. The plea demands the release of drought relief funds, highlighting the growing trend of states seeking judicial intervention for financial assistance from the Centre.
The bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta, observed the increasing frequency of state governments approaching the court for matters that ideally should be resolved through federal cooperation. This observation came while the bench was deliberating on Karnataka’s plea, which accuses the Central government of failing to provide financial aid to address drought conditions affecting certain regions of the state.
“Let there not be a contest between Union and State”
-Apex Court said.
Karnataka’s plea articulates a sense of urgency, driven by what it describes as the Central government’s “arbitrary actions,” which purportedly infringe upon the fundamental rights of the state’s residents. The plea brings to light the alleged inaction of the Union government concerning an Inter-Ministerial Central Team report on the drought disaster, which has remained unaddressed for approximately six months. This inaction is further criticized for exacerbating the situation by withholding benefits from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) intended for the state.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government, suggested that the state could have sought a resolution through dialogue rather than resorting to a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. He also hinted at the timing of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL), suggesting political motives ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The Court, however, proceeded to ask both SG Mehta and Attorney General (AG) R Venkataramani to provide detailed responses within two weeks. The plea, advocated by DL Chidananda and further supported by Senior Counsel Devadatt Kamat and AG K Shashi Kiran Shetty, marks Karnataka as the latest state to challenge the Central government’s financial policies in the Supreme Court. This move echoes a similar plea by the Tamil Nadu government, which also alleges neglect by the Centre in releasing funds for damages caused by natural calamities.
The Court’s statement, captures the essence of the federal spirit, emphasizing the need for collaboration and understanding between different levels of government to address the pressing challenges faced by the nation.
CASE TITLE:
State of Karnataka vs Union of India and ors.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Karnataka
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