Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State Relations

The Sarkaria Commission, constituted in 1983 under Justice R.S. Sarkaria, examined how Centre-State relations could function more harmoniously within the existing Constitution. Its 1988 report favoured a strong Union for national unity, but argued that federal powers should ordinarily be exercised through consultation, cooperation and restraint rather than central domination.

Guiding approach

The Commission viewed cooperative federalism as a process of joint problem-solving within the constitutional division of powers. It generally supported the existing constitutional framework, while seeking greater decentralisation and respect for State autonomy in its operation.

• The Centre should build consensus with States on policies affecting their interests instead of relying only on its formal constitutional superiority.
• The Union should consult States before legislating on matters in the Concurrent List, except where urgency makes prior consultation impracticable.
• The delegation of Union functions to States under Article 258 should be used liberally to improve administrative coordination.

Institutions for consultation

The Commission recommended a permanent Inter-State Council under Article 263 as the principal forum for Centre-State and inter-State consultation. It was intended to discuss common concerns, investigate disputes and advise on better coordination of policy and action.

• The Council should supplement, rather than replace, the specialised roles of bodies such as the Finance Commission and Zonal Councils.
• Regular political consultation was expected to prevent disagreements from escalating into constitutional conflicts.

Constitutional restraint and impartiality

The Commission emphasised that extraordinary Union powers must be governed by constitutional conventions and objective standards.

• Article 356 should be used very sparingly, only as a measure of last resort after alternatives and prior warning have been considered.
• A Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State, detached from active politics, and selected after effective consultation with the Chief Minister.
• Governors should act impartially and should not become instruments of the Union government in State politics.
• The All India Services should be strengthened because they provide administrative coordination while serving both levels of government.