Inter-State Council is a meeting point that has withered away. It must be rebuilt, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• The Inter-State Council, established under Article 263 of the Constitution, is currently inactive despite its crucial role in India's federal system.
• Conceived as a vital mechanism for inter-governmental consultation and policy coordination, it was formally constituted in 1990 based on the Sarkaria Commission's recommendations.
• The Council's neglect has led to a structural void in Indian federalism, hindering dialogue between the Union and states.
• Its revival is deemed essential for addressing critical national issues like delimitation, which requires broad consensus among states.
• The body has met only 12 times since its inception in 1990, with significant gaps between meetings.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Inter-State Council was envisioned by the Constitution's framers to harmonize disparate interests between the Union and states in India's diverse federal structure.
• The Sarkaria Commission (1983-1988) identified the dormant Council as a missing link in India's federal equilibrium and recommended its permanent establishment.
• Despite its potential, the Council has suffered from institutional atrophy, operating as an appendage of the Home Ministry rather than an autonomous body.
• Its subordination has prevented it from setting an unbiased national agenda or influencing legislative initiatives affecting states' rights and revenues.
• The infrequent meetings and lack of operational autonomy have eroded trust between central authorities and states, particularly those governed by opposition parties.
• An active Council would provide a platform for continuous deliberation on cross-jurisdictional policy challenges like economic reforms, public health, and internal security.
• Rebuilding the Council involves establishing an independent secretariat, institutionalizing regular meetings with the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers, and empowering it to negotiate major policy reforms.
• A revitalized Inter-State Council is crucial for transforming Centre-state relations into a cooperative partnership, giving substance to the principle of cooperative federalism.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Inter-State Council: A constitutional body established under Article 263 to facilitate coordination and consultation between the Union and states, and among states.
• Article 263: Constitutional provision empowering the President to establish an Inter-State Council to inquire into disputes, investigate common subjects, and make recommendations for policy coordination.
• Sarkaria Commission: A commission established in 1983 to examine Centre-state relations and recommend improvements, notably advocating for a permanent Inter-State Council.
• Delimitation: The process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies for elections to ensure proportionate representation based on population changes.
• Cooperative Federalism: A concept where the central and state governments collaborate and work together to achieve common goals and address shared challenges.