Chennai, April 15 — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday announced the formation of a high-level committee led by former Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph to examine the Centre-state relationship, citing growing concerns over erosion of state rights.
Addressing the state Assembly, Stalin said the panel will explore ways to reinforce state autonomy and scrutinize the transfer of subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List. “This committee will study, as per law, how certain subjects were moved away from the State List and what steps can be taken,” he noted, specifically referring to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) as an example of central overreach.
The panel also includes former IAS officer Ashok Vardhan Shetty and M Naganathan, former vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission. It is expected to submit an interim report in January 2026, with a comprehensive set of recommendations to follow within two years.
Stalin said the move was part of efforts to “safeguard the spirit of federalism” and ensure a balance in Union-state relations.
