The Sarkaria Commission was a commission set up by the Government of India in June 1983, chaired by Justice R. S. Sarkaria, a retired Supreme Court judge. Its purpose was to examine and review the relationship and balance of power between the central government and the state governments within the framework of the Indian Constitution
Objectives and Background
- The commission was tasked with scrutinizing the working of existing arrangements between the Union and the States concerning their powers, functions, and responsibilities.
- It aimed to suggest reforms to improve coordination, cooperation, and harmonious relations between the Centre and the States, addressing long-standing conflicts and tensions in the federal structure
Key Recommendations
- Emphasized cooperative federalism, viewing federalism as a functional arrangement for cooperative action rather than a static concept.
- Recommended empowering states with sufficient financial resources to reduce their dependency on the central government.
- Suggested the establishment of a permanent Inter-State Council under Article 263 to resolve disputes and enhance coordination.
- Advocated that the President’s rule under Article 356 should be imposed only as a last resort in extreme circumstances to prevent the breakdown of constitutional machinery in states.
- Recommended that governors be appointed after consulting the state’s Chief Minister, and that governors should be non-partisan individuals with considerable public service experience.
- Called for a consultative process between the Centre and States before deploying armed forces in a state.
- Suggested that residuary powers related to taxation remain with Parliament, while other residuary powers be placed under the concurrent list
Significance
- The Sarkaria Commission’s report, submitted in 1988, contains 247 recommendations and remains a key reference for managing Centre-State relations in India.
- Its recommendations have been influential in judicial decisions and political discourse, especially concerning the role of governors and the use of Article 356.
- The commission’s work remains relevant for safeguarding India’s democratic federal structure and promoting cooperative governance
In summary, the Sarkaria Commission was a landmark initiative to review and improve the federal relations between the Centre and States in India, focusing on cooperation, balanced power distribution, and constitutional governance.
