INTER-STATE RELATIONS

Meaning and Constitutional Basis
Inter-state relations refer to the constitutional arrangements that regulate cooperation, coordination, dispute resolution and economic integration among the states and with the Union. The Constitution provides several mechanisms to maintain harmony in India’s federal structure.

Key Components of Inter-State Relations
• Inter-state water disputes
• Inter-state councils for coordination
• Mutual recognition of public acts, records and judicial proceedings
• Freedom of inter-state trade and commerce
• Zonal councils as platforms for cooperation

INTER-STATE WATER DISPUTES – Article 262
• Water disputes are among the most sensitive federal issues in India.
• Though water is a State List subject, Parliament has power to regulate inter-state rivers.
• Article 262 allows:
  – Parliament to enact laws for adjudicating inter-state river water disputes.
  – Parliament to bar courts from hearing such disputes.

Reasons for Increased Water Disputes
• Rising population and agricultural water demand
• Shift toward water-intensive crops
• Uneven rainfall distribution, recurring droughts
• State bifurcations creating new claimants (e.g., Telangana–Andhra)
• Politicisation of water as a vote-bank issue

Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017 – Highlights
• Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) for pre-litigation negotiation within 12–18 months.
• Single permanent tribunal with multiple benches.
• Appointment of technical assessors (Central Water Engineering Service).
• Time-bound adjudication (maximum 4.5 years).
• National-level data bank for each river basin.

Issues with the 2017 Bill
• Temporary benches resemble current fragmented tribunals.
• Supreme Court's appellate role complicates timelines.
• Implementation mechanisms for tribunal awards unclear.

INTER-STATE COUNCIL – Article 263
• Constitutional body for coordination between states and Centre.
• President establishes it when required in public interest.
• First set up in 1990 based on Sarkaria Commission recommendations.
• Functions:
  – Discuss and recommend policies on Centre–State and inter-state matters.
  – Investigate subjects of common interest.
  – Promote coordination on administrative, economic and social issues.

Sarkaria Commission Key Recommendations
• Establish a permanent Inter-Governmental Council.
• Activate Article 263 extensively for federal consultation.
• Council should perform duties under Article 263(b) and (c).

Standing Committee of the Inter-State Council
• Formed in 1996.
• Members: Union Home Minister (Chair), 5 Union Ministers, 9 Chief Ministers.
• Functions: monitor implementation of Council decisions, process issues before Council meetings.

FULL FAITH AND CREDIT CLAUSE
• Public acts, records and judicial proceedings of one state are recognised throughout India.
• Parliament determines how these are proved and enforced.
• Civil court judgments are enforceable across India (not criminal judgments).

INTER-STATE TRADE AND COMMERCE – Articles 301–307 (Part XIII)
• Article 301 ensures freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse across India.
• Objective: dissolve internal trade barriers and create a unified national market.
• Extends to both inter-state and intra-state trade.
• Reasonable restrictions allowed in public interest.

ZONAL COUNCILS
• Statutory bodies created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
• Five Zonal Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern.
• Purpose: foster cooperation and coordination between Centre, states and UTs.
• Nature: advisory; recommendations not binding.
• Factors considered: geography, culture, communication, river systems, economic needs, security.

Composition
• Union Home Minister – Chairperson
• Chief Ministers of states in zone – Vice-chairpersons by rotation
• Two ministers from each state
• Administrators of UTs in zone

NORTH-EASTERN COUNCIL (NEC)
• Established under the North-Eastern Council Act, 1971.
• Regional planning and development body for 8 NE states.
• Functions:
  – Formulate coordinated regional plans.
  – Review security and public order issues.
  – Act as nodal agency for socio-economic development.
• Composition:
  – Union Home Minister (Chairperson)
  – Minister of DoNER (Vice-Chairperson)
  – Governors and CMs of 8 states
  – 3 presidential nominees

Purpose and Importance
• Enhances cooperative federalism.
• Prevents and resolves disputes.
• Promotes regional balance and national integration.
• Ensures smoother Centre–State functioning.
 

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Subject: Polity

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