Date:31/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/31/stories/2008053153110400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Mani Shankar Aiyar meets Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

“There were some small problems that I brought to his notice”

CHENNAI: Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar called on Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at his Gopalapuram residence here on Friday.

Mr. Aiyar told presspersons that he had wished Mr. Karunanidhi ahead of his birthday (June 3) since he would not be in the country on June 3.

The Minister said he discussed general issues. “There were also some small problems that I brought to his notice,” he said and added that one related to the archaeological remains in the Bay off Poompuhar. He wanted a port in Poompuhar and it could be built only after the archaeological survey agreed to the construction. Hence, the State government should seek expert opinion to examine if the remains still existed.

Asked if the air had cleared on the problems that existed between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the State government, he said: “I hope so…I think the air has been cleared… I was received with very great courtesy and friendship. The issue did not come up in the course of our discussion today.

“But I hope it is now clear to everybody concerned that whatever was stated in that draft [15th Anniversary Charter on Panchyati Raj on inclusive growth through inclusive governance] was taken by the panchayat representatives from other parts of India and not by the Ministry…Secondly, the fact that in Parliament I have repeatedly said that I am against Constitutional change… that the mandate to my Ministry is to implement the Constitution and not to change it.

“And then I brought to the notice of the authorities that [former Prime Minister] Rajiv Gandhi had made it clear…that this is not a question of Centre-State relations, this is to strengthen local governance…Madam Sonia Gandhi [Congress president] had made it clear that our federalism involved a strong Centre, strong States and strong local governments. There is no question of diminishing anybody’s powers.”