FOR NATIONAL INTEGRATION STATES NEED MORE POWER In our diversity is our strength. Even our National Anthem celebrates the rich variety of our culture. And the founding fathers, appreciating that a strong and unified India can only be one in which the democratic aspirations of the people of different states are res peeled framed our constitution a federal democracy. Let us go back to the federal structure as envisaged in the constitution when it was framed. Pandit Nehru stated before the constituent assembly in January, 1947-^This resolution makes it clear we are not interfering in the inteiua! affairs of the states ••• All that we say is this: that they will be autonomous units with a very large measure of freedom to do as they choose^. But today states are dependent on the centre's largesse. Pressures are being indirectly brought upon State Government by denial of financial and other resources. Economic growth in different backward regions is being totally neglected since independence. Has the Federal Character of the Indian Constitution been set an naught? GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL ICA 11370/80