Write a short note on The Sarkaria Commission.

The Sarkaria Commission, officially known as the Commission on Centre-State Relations, was a committee appointed by the Government of India in 1983 to examine and recommend measures to improve the relationship between the central government and the states. The commission was named after its chairperson, Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India.

Background:

The need for the Sarkaria Commission arose in the context of evolving challenges and tensions in the federal structure of India. The commission was tasked with addressing issues related to the distribution of powers and responsibilities between the Centre and the states, financial arrangements, and other aspects of intergovernmental relations.

Mandate and Terms of Reference:

The Sarkaria Commission had a broad mandate, encompassing several key aspects of Centre-State relations. Some of the specific terms of reference included:

1. Distribution of Legislative and Executive Powers:

   • Examining the existing distribution of powers between the Centre and states.
   • Recommending principles for determining the areas where executive action by the Centre or states would be appropriate.

2. Role of Governors:

   • Assessing the role of Governors in the states and making recommendations on their powers and functions.

3. Emergency Provisions:

   • Examining the use of emergency provisions and making recommendations on their application, especially in situations like President's Rule.

4. Inter-State Council:

   • Evaluating the functioning of the Inter-State Council, an institutional mechanism for fostering cooperation among states and between the Centre and states.

Recommendations:

The Sarkaria Commission submitted its report in 1988, presenting a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at fostering cooperative federalism. Some notable recommendations included:

1. Governor's Role:

   • Emphasizing that Governors should be individuals with a background in public life or distinguished service and should not be political appointees.
   • Clarifying that Governors should act as constitutional heads and not indulge in day-to-day politics.

2. Emergency Provisions:

   • Proposing guidelines for the use of Article 356 (President's Rule) to prevent its arbitrary application.

3. Inter-State Council:

   • Recommending a more active and effective role for the Inter-State Council in resolving disputes and promoting collaboration among states.

4. Distribution of Powers:

   • Offering recommendations on a range of issues related to legislative and executive powers, attempting to strike a balance between federalism and the need for a strong Centre.

Impact:

While not all recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission were implemented, the report played a significant role in shaping the discourse on Centre-State relations in India. Some of its suggestions were incorporated into subsequent policy discussions and contributed to the ongoing evolution of India's federal structure.

Conclusion:

The Sarkaria Commission remains an important milestone in the history of Centre-State relations in India. By addressing critical issues and providing a comprehensive set of recommendations, it contributed to the ongoing process of refining and strengthening the federal framework, ensuring a delicate balance between the autonomy of states and the unity of the nation.