Center ready to invite views of states on Punchhi Commission report
Recently, the Union Home Ministry has decided to seek the opinion of the states again after 5 years on the Punchhi Commission report.
- Earlier in the year 2017-2018, the Standing Committee of the Inter-State Council (ISC) reviewed this report for the first time.
- In the year 2007, a commission was constituted on Centre-State Relations. Former Chief Justice of the country Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi was its chairman. This commission submitted its report in 2010.
- The Punchhi Commission made 273 recommendations in its seven-volume report.
Key recommendations of the Punchhi Commission –
- Before introducing a bill on the subjects of the Concurrent List, the Central Government should consult the States through the Inter-State Council.
- There is a need to amend Article-355 of the Constitution. The interests of the states should be given priority through amendment, so that the central government cannot misuse this article.
- Article – 355 provides for the duty of the union to protect the states.
- The exercise of the power received by the Center under Article-356 should be limited only to the resolution of the failure of the constitutional machinery in the State.
- A National Integration Council should be set up on the lines of the US Department of Homeland Security to deal with matters related to internal security.
- A non-political person should be appointed to the post of governor or such a person should be appointed to this post, who has stayed away from active politics for at least two years before the appointment.
- The provision for impeachment of the Governor should also be made in the same manner as the provision for impeachment of the President has been made under Article 61.
- The first commission on Centre-State relations was the Sarkaria Commission. This commission submitted its report in 1988.
- Its main recommendation was to set up a permanent Inter-State Council under Article-263.
Duties of the Inter-State Council –
- To inquire into and advise on disputes arising between States.
- To examine and discuss matters in which some or all of the States or the Union and one or more of the States are of common interest;
- To make suggestions on any such subject and especially to make recommendations for better co-ordination of policy and action in relation to that subject etc.
Source – Indian Express
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