INTER-STATE COUNCIL
1. Context
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking that at least three meetings of the Inter-State Council should be held every year to “strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism”.
2. Inter-State Council
- The Interstate Council refers to a constitutional body in India that is responsible for promoting cooperation and coordination among the states and union territories of the country. It was established under Article 263 of the Indian Constitution.
- The primary purpose of the Interstate Council is to address various issues, disputes, and concerns that may arise between different states and union territories in India
- In 1988, the Sarkaria Commission suggested the Council should exist as a permanent body, and in 1990 it came into existence through a Presidential Order
- The main functions of the Council are inquiring into and advising on disputes between states, investigating and discussing subjects in which two states or states and the Union have a common interest, and making recommendations for the better coordination of policy and action.
- The Prime Minister is the chairman of the Council, whose members include the Chief Ministers of all states and UTs with legislative assemblies, and Administrators of other UTs.
- Six Ministers of Cabinet rank in the Centre’s Council of Ministers, nominated by the Prime Minister, are also its members
3. Key functions of Interstate Council
- Discussing and resolving disputes or differences among states and union territories.
- Formulating and implementing policies that are beneficial for the harmonious development of the states.
- Monitoring and assessing the implementation of central and state schemes and projects.
- Facilitating cooperation and coordination on matters of common interest, such as economic and social development, security, and infrastructure.
- Recommending measures to improve the quality of administration and governance at the state and union territory levels.
4. Challenges
- The lack of regular meetings, saying the Council has met only once in the last six years — and that there has been no meeting since July 2016. Since its constitution in 1990, the body has met only 11 times, although its procedure states it should meet at least three times every year
- In 2016, the meeting included consideration of the Punchhi Commission’s recommendations on Centre-State Relations that were published in 2010. At the time, M Karunanidhi had criticised then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for not personally attending the meeting
- The meeting saw detailed discussion on the recommendations. States asked for maintaining the federal structure amid growing “centralisation”. Imposition of Article 356 of the Constitution, which deals with the imposition of President’s Rule in states, was a matter of concern
5.Way forward
The body will now have 10 Union Ministers as permanent invitees, and the standing committee of the Council has been reconstituted with Home Minister Amit Shah as Chairman.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, UP, and Gujarat are some of the other standing committee members
Source: indianexpress
