Watch: ‘Centre cannot dictate States’: federalism, funds and delimitation dominate

At The Hindu Huddle 2025, Tamil Nadu IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and Kerala Law and Industries Minister P. Rajeeve participated in a panel discussion titled “More Than a Sum of Parts: Reimagining India’s Federalism.” Moderated by Narayan Lakshman, the conversation addressed concerns about the evolving relationship between the Union and State governments.

The ministers highlighted issues such as fiscal autonomy, borrowing limits, the role of Governors, language, and the upcoming delimitation exercise. They argued that the Constitution grants states significant independence, and expressed concern over what they described as increasing centralisation of power by the Union government.

Mr. Thiaga Rajan raised the issue of cess and surcharges affecting the divisible tax pool, while Mr. Rajeeve pointed to parliamentary overreach in regulating universities and borrowing powers. Both ministers voiced concerns that the southern states may face reduced representation post-delimitation despite leading in development and population control.

Read more: Union Government cannot dictate the state’s policies, says Palanivel Thiaga Rajan