Sarkaria Commission – Recommendations & Report
By Balaji
Updated on: February 21st, 2023
Sarkaria Commission was constituted by the India Government in 1983 to investigate many issues. One of the major objectives of the commission was to investigate the relationship between the center and states. Sarkaria Commission was constituted under the chairmanship of R.S. Sarkaria. The Sarkaria Commission was asked to review the arrangements between the states and the center and then make the right recommendations.
One of the major Sarkaria Commission recommendations was the establishment of a permanent inter-state council known as the Intergovernmental Council. In this article, we will be discussing Sarkaria Commission and its views in detail.
Table of content
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1. Sarkaria Commission- Background
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2. Purpose of Sarkaria Commission
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3. Sarkaria Commission Report
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4. Sarkaria Commission Recommendations
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5. Sarkaria Commission Recommendations on Governor
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6. Features of Sarkaria Commission
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7. Sarkaria Commission UPSC
Sarkaria Commission- Background
The clash of interests between the center and states caused many disturbances in the functioning of democratic machinery.
Sarkaria Commission Notes
- With time, India faced emerging issues and tensions along with developments in social, economic, and political areas.
- Cooperation is the key to the smooth running of the states and centers.
- As a result, The Ministry of Home Affairs established a commission to review the relationship between Union and States.
- This commission is known as the Sarkaria Commission, as it was under the chairmanship of R.S. Sarkaria, who was a retired Supreme Court judge.
- The other members of the Sarkaria Commission were Dr. S.R. Sen and Shri B. Sivaraman.
Purpose of Sarkaria Commission
The Sarkaria Commission was established by the Central Government to make recommendations regarding the center-State relationship in response to the movement for State autonomy. In 1988, the Commission turned in its final report. The nation’s unity and integrity were of utmost importance to the founders of the Indian Constitution. They were aware of the elements causing chaos and instability in the nation. Only a powerful central authority at the time of independence could counter these threats.
- The Government of India established the Administrative Reforms Commission and other Commissions to oversee ties between the center and States.
- The Sarkaria Commission was established by the Union Government to make recommendations for methods to enhance center-State relations.
- The Sarkaria Commission was established in 1983 in response to calls for greater autonomy. Its purpose was to review all current agreements between the centers and the States and recommend adjustments and actions as necessary.
Sarkaria Commission Report
The Sarkaria Commission report has two parts. The first part of the report includes the main report, and the second part is about the memoranda provided by the political parties and the state governments. The report covers inter-governmental relations in the sphere of administration and legislation.
The Sarkaria Commission report also highlights the need to establish an inter-state council and how it would smoothen inter-governmental coordination. The report has 247 recommendations that are discussed in 19 chapters.
Sarkaria Commission Recommendations
The Sarkaria Commission issued its first report in 1987, and it included 247 recommendations.
- The commission strictly rejected the idea of reducing the center’s powers. It stated that a strong center is essential for maintaining the integrity and national unity.
- The Sarkaria Commission recommended appointing individuals with vast experience in public service.
- The states must have enough financial resources to reduce their dependency on the central government.
- Sarkaria Commission recommended setting up a permanent inter-state council for resolving any issues among the states.
- The high court judges shouldn’t be transferred without their will.
Sarkaria Commission Recommendations on Governor
The Sarkaria Commission offered the following significant recommendations regarding the appointment of the Governors.
- As per Sarkaria Commission, the Governor Should be a respected individual and must be an outsider to the country.
- Not have been actively involved in politics, at least for a while prior to his appointment.
- After leaving office, the person designated as Governor should not be eligible for any further appointments or prestigious positions in the Union or a State Government, with the exception of a second term as Governor or election as Vice-President or President of India, as the case may be.
- As per Sarkaria Commission, at the end of the Governor’s tenure, reasonable benefits after retirement should be offered.
- Governor should be impartial and not overly involved in the State’s regional politics as per Sarkaria Commission.
- He must be chosen after consulting with the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Vice-President of India, and the State’s Chief Minister.
Features of Sarkaria Commission
Sarkaria Commission submitted its report to the Prime Minister of India in 1987, Rajiv Gandhi. This commission explained the relationship between the states and the center in detail. The commission also described the utilization of Article 356 in brief. Sarkaria Commission explained the advantages of Article 252 and the prohibition of the power of the government of India. Another crucial recommendation by the Sarkaria Commission was the organization of a stable council in all the states under Article 263.
Sarkaria Commission UPSC
The Sarkaria Commission is covered under the Indian Polity and Governance section of the UPSC Syllabus. That is why it becomes important for UPSC aspirants to know about this topic in detail and the recommendations made by it. We have covered Sarkaria Commission UPSC notes in this article that would help the candidates to prepare for this topic. Candidates can also follow the UPSC Books for better and more effective preparation.
