Inter-State Council

About Inter-State Council:

• It is established under Article 263 of the Constitution of India to facilitate coordination and cooperation between the central government and the state governments.
• The formation of a permanent Inter-State council was supported by the Sarkaria Commission.
• The Inter-State council can be set up by the President If at any time it appears to the President that the establishment of such a council would be in the public interest. In 1990, the first such body was established by the presidential order.
• The Council consists of;
  • Chairman: Prime Minister
  • Members: Chief Ministers of all States
  • Chief Ministers of Union Territories having a Legislative Assembly and Administrators of UTs not having a Legislative Assembly – Members
  • Six Ministers of Cabinet rank in the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister – Members
• The Council is charged with the duty of:
  • Inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may have arisen between States.
  • Investigating and discussing subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States, have a common interest.
  • Making recommendations upon any such subject and particularly recommendations for the better coordination of policy and action.