Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday accused the NDA government of attempting to centralize power by increasing the Centre’s authority through various bills and amendments, allegedly weakening state governments.

During the discussion on The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, RJD MP Sanjay Yadav argued that a strong nation depends on strong states. He claimed that recent legislative changes have consistently shifted more power to the central government at the expense of states.

“There is a growing tendency in the government to introduce bills where the Centre’s powers increase while the states’ authority diminishes,” Yadav stated. He also called for a dedicated disaster relief budget for Bihar, citing the state’s frequent natural calamities.

The debate reflects broader concerns over federalism, with opposition leaders demanding a more balanced distribution of power between the Centre and the states.