Why are South Indian Leaders Crying Foul? Shashi Tharoor Explains

Leaders, including Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, and DMK leader MK Stalin have spoken out

Opposition to the 15th Finance Commission’s Terms of Reference (ToR) continues to grow, with multiple leaders from south India throwing their hat into the ring. Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has even called a meeting of the Finance Ministers of the other south Indian states to discuss the matter.

The 15th Finance Commission may use the 2011 census instead of the 1971 census, which had earlier been frozen as the base year while making its recommendations. The Centre also plans to incentivise population-control programs by the states. South Indian states that have already controlled their population through multiple programs believe this will hurt them.

Leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, and DMK leader MK Stalin have spoken out regarding the same.

Speaking to TNM, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor weighed in on the argument around south Indian states being short-changed and Modi's style of governance.

The question of the weightage that is given to the population is actually a very relevant question because it says if you take into account various factors in allocating central resources, population should be given a modest weightage because the larger population is actually an evidence of government failure. It should not become a virtue. I think that’s the main concern. When we speak in terms of incentives, no state will have an incentive to have enlightened and progressive policies when it comes to the population if the consequence of that is that it ends up paying a heavy financial price when central taxes are apportioned.

Shashi Tharoor

Speaking about the terms of reference, Tharoor said that if it is not paid attention to, it could be disastrous.

"But whether it is bureaucrats doing it or there is a political clearance for it, it should not be done thoughtlessly because it is an extremely serious matter and I think I was able to leave Mr Singh (15th Finance Commission chairman) in no doubt about the high temperature of the hot potato that has been dropped into his lap. If he ends up not paying attention to this, we could have a disaster on our hands in terms of tensions and strains between regions," he said.

(This piece was originally published on The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)