Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 16, asking that at least three meetings of the Inter-State Council (ISC) should be held every year to “strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism”.
- A permanent Inter-State Council was established vide Presidential Order dated May 28, 1990, and Clause 5 of the Order mandates that ISC meetings shall be conducted thrice a year.
- Over the last six years, there was only one meeting (on July 16, 2016).
- Mr. Stalin further suggested to the prime minister, that every Bill of national importance, that is likely to affect one or more States, be placed before the council before being introduced in Parliament, and the council’s views be tabled in Parliament.
About Inter-State Council
- The Inter-State Council was established under Article 263 of the Constitution, which states that the President may constitute such a body if a need is felt for it.
- The Council is basically meant to serve as a forum for discussions among various governments.
- In 1988, the Sarkaria Commission suggested the Council should exist as a permanent body, and in 1990 it came into existence through a Presidential Order.
- The main functions of the Council are inquiring into and advising on disputes between states, investigating and discussing subjects in which two states or states and the Union have a common interest, and making recommendations for the better coordination of policy and action.
- The Prime Minister is the chairman of the Council, whose members include the Chief Ministers of all states and UTs with legislative assemblies, and Administrators of other UTs.
- Six Ministers of Cabinet rank in the Centre’s Council of Ministers, nominated by the Prime Minister, are also its members.
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