Centre’s interference in state matters weakens local government: CM Omar Abdullah

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 17 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for greater devolution of powers to states. He said issues such as education and health should be left to state governments and the Centre should focus on matters under its domain.
Speaking with media, he asked the Centre to leave the state issues to the state and focus on their own issues.
He said the weakening of states was not solely the result of policies pursued by the BJP, arguing that successive central governments had also contributed to the trend.
Referring to the previous Congress-led UPA government, he said they too have played a role in centralising powers. “It is not only the fault of BJP. Different central governments have played this role of weakening the states,” he said.
He quoted the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET row as an example of the consequences of excessive centralisation.

(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs from KNO)