Cong, PMK, CPI(M) welcome request for rewriting Constitution

Chennai, Jan 22 (UNI) The Congress, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the CPI(M) today welcomed the Tamil Nadu Government's request to the Centre to rewrite the Constitution in keeping with changing needs.

Participating in a debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the state Assembly, Congress whip Peter Alphonse said there should be a healthy, nation-wide debate on the demand for rewriting the Constitution. The Congress would welcome the move if it benefitted the future generations, he said.

Stating that issues related to strengthening the Centre-State relations should also be discussed along with the debate on the Constitution, he referred to the Centre-States Commission set up by the Union Government for the purpose.

Due to cordial relations between the Centre and the Tamil Nadu Government, 57 Central projects to the tune of Rs 37,000 crore were being implemented in the state, he said.

He also welcomed the Government's demand for a Constitutional amendment to empower the states to levy service tax.

Mr Alphonse urged the Government to monitor the delivery system and ensure that all developmental schemes reached genuine beneficiaries.

He appealed to the Government to take steps to update Tamil lexicon and glossary of scientific and technical terms in Tamil.

Mr T Velmurugan (PMK) and Ms K Balabarathi (CPI-M) also welcomed the Government's plea to the Centre to rewrite the Constitution.

Ms Balabarathi said the Constitution should be rewritten without compromising on the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.

UNI