Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday called for stronger coordination, consultation and shared responsibility between the Centre and the States, emphasising that political differences should not obstruct efforts to serve the public interest. Speaking at a conference on cooperative federalism and law reforms in New Delhi, he highlighted the importance of the “Team India” approach in strengthening governance and advancing the country’s development goals.

Inaugurating the conference titled “Co-operative Federalism and Law Reforms: National and State Perspectives”, Radhakrishnan said cooperation between the Union government and state administrations was essential for effective policymaking. He stressed that both cooperative and competitive federalism had important roles in national development, with governments required to work together while remaining responsive to the needs of their respective regions.

The Vice-President also called for modernising India’s legal framework in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He urged states to examine outdated legislation and take steps to amend or repeal laws that no longer serve their intended purpose. He emphasised that legal reforms must keep pace with changing social and economic conditions and contribute to more efficient administration.

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Highlighting recent changes to India’s legal system, Radhakrishnan referred to the replacement of three colonial-era criminal laws and the repeal of more than 1,700 obsolete laws over the past 12 years. He described such measures as important steps towards updating the country’s legal framework and improving governance. He also encouraged State Law Commissions to work more closely with their counterparts and identify areas where further reforms were necessary.

Radhakrishnan said the ultimate purpose of law was to ensure that every citizen could live with justice, security and dignity. Referring to the Sengol installed in Parliament as a symbol of righteous authority and ethical governance, he also invoked the teachings of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar on good governance and adherence to the rule of law. He stressed that responsible administration and ethical leadership were essential for lasting prosperity.

The Vice-President expressed hope that the conference would produce practical recommendations for building a coherent, responsive and citizen-focused legal system. Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Law Commission of India Chairperson Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Member Secretary Anju Rathi Rana and commission member D. P. Verma attended the event. The discussions focused on strengthening Centre-State relations and advancing legal reforms to improve governance across the country.

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