Sarkaria Commission

Background and evolution

By the early 1980s, tensions between the Centre and states were rising. Regional parties had won power in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab and Tamil Nadu; states complained of misuse of Article 356, partisan Governors and centralised planning; and some, such as the Anandpur Sahib Resolution in Punjab, demanded greater autonomy. In response, the Union government set up a commission in June 1983 under Justice R. S. Sarkaria, a retired Supreme Court judge, with B. Sivaraman and S. R. Sen as members.

The commission consulted widely and submitted its report in January 1988. It did not recommend a weaker Centre; it concluded that a strong Union was necessary for national unity, but that it should work through consultation and cooperation with states rather than domination.

Key features and provisions

• Residuary powers: should remain with Parliament, though residuary taxation powers could be placed in the Concurrent List.
• Article 356: should be used only as a last resort, after warning the state and exploring alternatives; the Governor's report should be detailed and made public.
• Governor: should be an eminent person from outside the state, not active in politics recently, appointed after consulting the Chief Minister, and not removed before completing the term except for compelling reasons.
• Inter-State Council: a permanent council under Article 263.
• Concurrent List: the Union should consult states before legislating on Concurrent subjects.
• All India Services: should be strengthened, and new ones created, as a unifying force.
• Planning: the National Development Council should be renamed the National Economic and Development Council and given a stronger role.
• Zonal Councils: should be revived as regional forums.