The Sarkaria Commission was established in 1983 by the Government of India to examine the relationship between the Centre and the States, and to suggest measures for improving it. The Commission submitted its report in 1988 and made several recommendations, which were aimed at achieving a more cooperative and coordinated federal structure. In this article, we will discuss the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission in detail and its impact on the Indian political system.
Table of Contents
Why the Sarkaria Commission was constituted?
The Indian Constitution provides for a federal system of government, with powers divided between the Centre and the States. However, over the years, there have been several issues related to the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States. These issues have led to conflicts between the two levels of government and have also affected the development of the country.
To address these issues, the Sarkaria Commission was constituted in 1983. The Commission was headed by Justice R.S. Sarkaria and had several other members, including retired judges, senior bureaucrats, and politicians.
The commission submitted its report to the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 27 October 1987.
Key Recommendations
The Sarkaria Commission made several recommendations, which were aimed at improving the relationship between the Centre and the States. The following are some of the key recommendations of the Commission:
- Appointment of Governors: The Commission recommended that Governors should be appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Minister of the concerned State. The Governor should also have a fixed tenure of five years and should not be removed from office without justifiable reasons.
- Role of Governors: The Commission recommended that Governors should be appointed from outside the State and should not have any political affiliations. They should act as a bridge between the Centre and the State and should not interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the State government.
- Centre-State Relations: The Commission recommended that the Centre and the States should work together in a cooperative and coordinated manner. The Centre should respect the autonomy of the States and should not interfere in matters that are within the jurisdiction of the States. The States, on the other hand, should cooperate with the Centre in matters of national importance.
- Inter-State Relations: The Commission recommended that there should be a forum for resolving disputes between the States. The forum should be headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court and should have the power to adjudicate on inter-State disputes.
- Emergency Provisions: The Commission recommended that the President’s rule under article 356 should be used sparingly and only in cases where there is a breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State. The Centre should also consult the Governor and the Council of Ministers of the State before imposing President’s rule. All possibilities of formation of an alternative government must be explored before imposing presidential rule in the state and the state assembly should not be dissolved unless the proclamation is approved by the parliament.
- Financial Relations: The Commission recommended that there should be a transparent system of financial transfers from the Centre to the States. The Centre should provide adequate financial resources to the States for their development and should also share a part of its revenue with the States.
- Transfer of High Court Judges: The judges of high courts should not be transferred without their consent.
- Legislation on Concurrent List: For all legislations in respect of subject on the concurrent list, there should be active consultation with the state government, except in emergent cases.
- Language: The three-language formula should be implemented in its true spirit in all the states in the interest of unity and integrity of the country. The work of the union and the state governments affecting local people must be carried out in the local language.
- All India Services: It did not favor disbanding of all-India services in the interest of the country’s integrity. Instead, it favored new all-India services.
- NDC: It favored retention of the national development council and suggested activation of the zonal councils.
- Finance Commission and Planning Commission: It found the present division of functions between the finance commission and the planning commission as reasonable and favored continuance of this arrangement.
- Taxation power, which was so far in the union list, should be shifted to the concurrent list in view of the need for states to mobilize more resources. States should be allowed to impose local or municipal taxes on industrial or commercial properties owned by the centre.
Impact of Sarkaria Commission Report
The recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission had a significant impact on the Indian political system. The appointment of Governors became more transparent, and Governors were no longer seen as agents of the Centre. The role of Governors became more symbolic, and they played a more constructive role in the relationship between the Centre and the States.
The recommendations of the Commission also led to the establishment of the Inter-State Council, which is a forum for resolving disputes between the States. The Council has played a significant role in resolving disputes between the States and has helped to maintain the unity and integrity of the country.
Sarkaria Commission recommended for establishing a permanent Inter-State Council as an independent national forum for consultation accordance with article 263.
Key Recommendations: Summary
- Restrain from the frequent use of article 356 of the constitution, and all possibilities of formation of an alternative government must be explored before imposing presidential rule in the state and the state assembly should not be dissolved unless the proclamation is approved by the parliament.
- Active politicians should not be appointed governors. When the state and the centre are ruled by different political parties, the governor should not belong to the ruling party at the centre. Further, the retiring governors should be debarred from accepting any office of profit.
- The judges of high courts should not be transferred without their consent.
- The three-language formula should be implemented in its true spirit in all the states in the interest of unity and integrity of the country.
- The work of the union and the state governments affecting local people must be carried out in the local language.
- It did not favor disbanding of all-India services in the interest of the country’s integrity. Instead, it favored new all-India services.
- It favored retention of the national development council and suggested activation of the zonal councils.
- It found the present division of functions between the finance commission and the planning commission as reasonable and favored continuance of this arrangement.
- Taxation power, which was so far in the union list, should be shifted to the concurrent list in view of the need for states to mobilize more resources.
- For all legislations in respect of subject on the concurrent list, there should be active consultation with the state government, except in emergent cases.
- States should be allowed to impose local or municipal taxes on industrial or commercial properties owned by the centre.
Comparison: Sarkaria Commission Report and Punchhi Commission Report
| Parameters | Sarkaria Commission | Punchhi Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment Year | 1983 | 2005 |
| Chairman | Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria | Justice M. M. Punchhi |
| Members | 6 | 5 |
| Objective | To examine the relationship and balance of power between the Centre and states | To review the working of the Constitution and suggest measures for harmonizing the relationship between Centre and states |
| Recommendations | 247 | 273 |
| Time taken to submit the report | 4 years | 3 years |
| Areas of focus | Centre-state relations, appointment of Governors, use of Article 356, Inter-State Council | Centre-state relations, Panchayati Raj institutions, Tribal areas, Environment protection, Review of working of existing constitutional provisions |
| Response from government | Partially implemented | Partially implemented |
| Criticisms | Some of its recommendations were too general and lacked specific details, ignored some important issues such as linguistic minorities | Some of its recommendations were too specific and not implementable, ignored issues such as Centre-state financial relations |
| Impact | Improved Centre-state relations, led to the formation of the Inter-State Council | Improved Centre-state relations, led to the enactment of the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution |
| Overall Significance | Important landmark in Centre-state relations | Comprehensive review of the Constitution with a focus on Centre-state relations, Panchayati Raj institutions, Tribal areas, and Environment protection |
Questions
Q. Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past? (UPSC Prelims 2020)
(a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)
(b) Rajamannar Committee (1969)
(c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)
(d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000)
Answer: C
Justification: Active politicians should not be appointed governors. When the state and the centre are ruled by different political parties, the governor should not belong to the ruling party at the centre. This is the part of recommendations of Sarkaria Commission Report.
Q. When was the Sarkaria Commission established?
a. 1983
b. 1991
c. 2005
d. 2010
Answer: a. 1983
Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission was established in 1983 to review the Centre-state relations in India and suggest measures for improving the balance of power between the two entities.
Q. Who was the Chairman of the Sarkaria Commission?
a. Justice M. M. Punchhi
b. Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria
c. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
d. Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: b. Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria
Explanation: Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria was the Chairman of the Sarkaria Commission, which was established in 1983 to review the Centre-state relations in India and suggest measures for improving the balance of power between the two entities.
Q. How many recommendations were made in the Sarkaria Commission report?
a. 100
b. 200
c. 247
d. 300
Answer: c. 247
Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission report made a total of 247 recommendations for improving Centre-state relations in India. These recommendations covered a wide range of issues related to the balance of power between the Centre and states.
Q. What was the objective of the Sarkaria Commission report?
a. To examine the relationship and balance of power between the Centre and states
b. To review the working of the Constitution and suggest measures for harmonizing the relationship between Centre and states
c. To recommend changes to the federal structure of India
d. To establish a framework for resolving disputes between the Centre and states
Answer: a. To examine the relationship and balance of power between the Centre and states
Explanation: The objective of the Sarkaria Commission report was to examine the relationship and balance of power between the Centre and states in India. The report aimed to suggest measures for improving cooperation and understanding between the two entities.
Q. Was the Sarkaria Commission report fully implemented by the government?
a. Yes
b. No
Answer: b. No
Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission report was only partially implemented by the government. While some of the recommendations were implemented to some extent, others were not implemented at all. The report continues to be an important reference point for improving Centre-state relations in India.
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