Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday that the Centre should have taken suggestions from state chief ministers before amending the terms of reference for the 15th Finance Commission.He further stated that unilateralism is not good for the cooperative federalism and federal policy.In July, the government had changed the terms of reference for the commission and mandated the panel to give suggestions for allocation of non-lapsable funds for defence and internal security."The best course would have been for the Central government that if it wants to tailor the terms of reference, it should be backed by a chief ministers' conference under the auspices of NITI Aayog. Otherwise, there would be a strong feeling that the government is trying to rob the states of due resource allotment," he said."I think that it is not good for the federal polity of our country and cooperative federalism we all swear by these days," Singh added while addressing the gathering at National Seminar
