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Picture Courtesy: https://www.manoramayearbook.in/current-affairs/india/2022/05/25/inter-state-council-upsc-explained.html

Context:

The Union Home minister has been appointed as the chairman of the Standing Committee of the Inter-State Council.

About Inter-State Council

Article 263 of the Constitution states that an Inter-State Council (ISC) may be formed "if at any time it appears to the President that the establishment of a Council would serve the public interest."

It is a non-permanent body that was first established in 1990 by the presidential order on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission.

It serves as a mediator in disputes between states, promoting discussions and making recommendations for cooperative settlements, however, they are not binding on the government.

Members of the Inter-State Council

The Prime Minister is the chairman of the Inter-State Council.
Chief Ministers of all states.
Chief Ministers of Union Territories with legislative assemblies.
Administrators of Union Territories without legislative assemblies.
Governors of states under the President’s rule.
Six central cabinet ministers, including the Home Minister, nominated by the Prime Minister.
Five ministers of cabinet rank as permanent invitees.

The Inter-State Council should meet three times a year. Decisions in the Inter-State Council are made through consensus.

About Standing Committee of the Inter-State Council

It was established in 1996 to provide continuous consultation and processing of matters for the council's consideration.

It is chaired by the Union Home Minister. It consists of all chief ministers of states and Union Territories with legislative assemblies, administrators of Union territories without legislative assemblies, and 12 other members, including senior Union ministers.

It reviews and resolves issues related to Centre-State relations before presenting them to the Inter-State Council (ISC), oversees the implementation of ISC recommendations and addresses any issues referred to it by the Chairman or the Council.

It can invite experts and specialists from relevant fields to participate in discussions to ensure that decisions are made based on informed views.

Must Read Articles:

IMPACT OF EMERGENCY PROVISIONS ON CENTER-STATE RELATIONS

CONFLICT BETWEEN STATES AND GOVERNORS

Source:

The New Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements in the context of the Inter-State Council (ISC):

1. It is a non-permanent body established on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission.

2. It is a constitutional body as its source of power is derived from the Constitution.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

According to Article 263 of the Constitution, an Inter-State Council (ISC) may be formed "if it appears to the President that the establishment of a Council would serve the public interests." As a result, the ISC was established as a non-permanent body in May 1990 by presidential order following the Sarkaria Commission's recommendation.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

The Inter-State Council is 'not a constitutional body' because its authority is not derived directly from the Constitution. According to Article 263, it is up to the "President by an order to establish such a Council and to define the nature of the duties to be performed by it and its organisation" and procedure. The ISC's mission is to discuss or investigate policies, issues of common interest, and interstate disputes.