We Are Equally Committed To Preserving Federalism: PM

New Delhi, Sep 10: With some parties and states voicing concern over the proposed Communal Violence Bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sought to assure them by saying the Centre had no intention to tamper with federal structure of the country which has worked well.

“There has been a lively discussion regarding the contents of the Communal Violence Bill. Concerns have been expressed about encroachment into states’ jurisdiction, against the spirit of federalism,” he said in his concluding remarks at the day-long National Integration Council (NIC) meeting here.

“Let me assure you that the central government is equally committed to preserving and strengthening the federal framework which has served this country well,” Singh told the delegates who included leaders from political parties and Chief Ministers and senior ministers of states. He made the remarks after Trinamool Congress and BJP along with Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled and some non-UPA states voiced opposition to the Communal Violence (Prevention) Bill, arguing it would hurt the federal structure of the country.

From: http://ping.fm/vu6Qg