Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks at the 27th Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Ranchi are a timely reminder of the urgent need for cooperative federalism in India’s development journey. The meeting, attended by representatives from Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, highlighted how coordination between the Centre and the states is not a matter of political choice but an administrative necessity for ensuring inclusive and sustained progress. The crux of Shah’s message remained clear: development cannot flourish in an environment of confrontation. States and the Centre must align their goals and work as partners, not opponents. Unfortunately, in recent years, ideological and political rifts have led to several states rejecting or partially implementing central schemes-especially in the fields of health, education, and infrastructure. The result has been uneven growth across the country, with some regions lagging despite national-level initiatives.
The phenomenon of “double engine Government”-Centre and State” working in tandem-has yielded tangible results in places like Jammu & Kashmir and several eastern states, where road connectivity, railway projects, industrial investments, and health infrastructure have seen marked improvements. When State Governments put regional aspirations on the table with clarity and pragmatism, as Jharkhand did during this meeting, the Centre can respond appropriately, balancing regional demands with national priorities. However, it must also be acknowledged that the Centre has financial limitations and cannot accommodate every state’s maximalist demands. Therefore, states must project their needs strategically, backed by data and socio-economic reasoning, to attract central support. Projects are sanctioned based on benefit-cost ratios, demographic impact, and strategic importance, not political affiliations or arbitrary claims.
Ultimately, the road to holistic development is paved with cooperation, dialogue, and mutual respect. The political tussles must not stand in the way of implementing policies that uplift lives. The Centre provides the macro-vision and resources; the states provide local insight and execution. Only when both engines run on the same track, at the same pace, can the train of development reach every corner of the country. The message from Ranchi is clear: consensus, not conflict, will define the trajectory of India’s regional and national progress.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
