Uttarakhand crisis: Centre should allow state govts to function, says Harish Rawat

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Friday said the Centre should allow the state governments to function and not take any step violating the Supreme Court rulings in the S R Bommai and others cases on the issue of imposition of President's rule.

The remarks came on a day when the government moved the apex court challenging the Uttarakhand High Court verdict quashing President's rule in the state.

Stressing that there should no violation of the top court's rulings in the Bommai and other case, Rawat said, "The Centre should allow the state governments to function on their own under the federal structure. The states have their own role."

He said as per the Indian political tradition, dismissal of state governments has been termed as wrong.

The Chief Minister hoped that the Centre does not get any relief from the Supreme Court on the Uttarakhand issue. "Whether the decision regarding Uttarakhand is right or wrong should be left to the people of the state. States should also ensure that there is no harm to the country," he said.

Rawat said he has given directions to officials to take steps to deal with water crisis in the state and take decisions on pending matters.

Uttarakhand Cabinet decides to convene Assembly session on April 29

The Uttarakhand Cabinet decided to convene a session of the Assembly on April 29, paving the way for Harish Rawat to go for a floor test as directed by the High Court.

In a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Rawat, it was decided to convene a session of the Assembly on April 29 as per the direction of the Uttarakhand High Court, Rawat's media advisor Surendra Kumar said.