Previous Year Question
On the recommendation of which Commission/Committee, the Inter-state Council was set up in India?
Punchhi Commission
Rajmannar Committee
Kothari Committee
Sarkaria Commission
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
The Sarkaria Commission, headed by Justice R. S. Sarkaria, was constituted in 1983 to review Centre-State relations. In its report, it recommended the establishment of a permanent Inter-State Council under Article 263 of the Constitution.
The Government accepted this recommendation, and the Inter-State Council was established by a Presidential Order dated 28 May 1990. Thus, its constitutional basis is Article 263, while its actual establishment followed the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission.
The Inter-State Council is a recommendatory body. It discusses matters of common interest to the Union and States and makes recommendations for better coordination of policy and action. The Prime Minister is its Chairman.
The distinction among the options is important. The Punchhi Commission was constituted only in 2007, long after the Council had been established. Although the Rajamannar Committee also examined Centre-State relations, the establishment of the Council in 1990 followed the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission.
Thus, the useful examination association is—Article 263 → Sarkaria Commission → Inter-State Council → 28 May 1990.