TN Govt slams Centre for 'one-size fits all approach

CHENNAI:Slamming the UPA government at the Centre for adopting "one-size-fits-all approach" in designing schemes, the Jayalalithaa government today asked it to adopt a flexible approach in formulating and implementing national schemes.

"The continued attempts by Union Government to push through legislations encroaching upon state powers and the adoption of one-size-fits-all approach in designing schemes do not augur well for a healthy Centre-State relationship," Governor K Rosaiah said in his customary address to Tamil Nadu Assembly.

He said the Centre should adopt a flexible approach in formulating and implementing national schemes by fixing only broad objectives and framework, and give freedom to the state governments to work according to state-specific need.

It should allow the state governments to have the freedom of designing schemes to meet their specific needs by dovetailing Central funds with the state's resources providing better synergy and focusing on achieving intended goals, he said, citing the proposed Goods and Services Tax.

Taking a swipe at the Centre's proposed Food Security Bill, on which Tamil Nadu has already expressed strong reservation, he said it "compromises universal access and deprives the state government of the present allotment of foodgrains from the Central pool."