The Sarkaria Commission, established in 1983, was a high-level commission of inquiry set up by the Government of India.
Its primary mandate was to examine the issue of Centre-State relations and recommend measures to improve them.
The commission was headed by Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Among its various recommendations, the Sarkaria Commission emphasized the need for institutionalizing mechanisms for continuous dialogue and cooperation between the Union and the States.
It proposed the establishment of a Permanent Secretariat for the Inter-State Council (ISC).
The aim of this permanent secretariat was to provide continuous support and research for the Inter-State Council, thereby facilitating better coordination and resolution of issues related to Centre-State relations.
The Inter-State Council itself was established in 1990 under Article 263 of the Constitution, based on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.
The ISC acts as a forum for discussing issues of common interest between the Union and the States, and for making recommendations for policy coordination.
The establishment of a permanent secretariat would have further strengthened the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Inter-State Council in promoting cooperative federalism in India.
