Background and Genesis of the Sarkaria Commission

Q: Examine the background of Sarkaria Commission.

The Sarkaria Commission was a landmark body established by the Government of India on June 9, 1983. It was formed amidst a climate of growing political friction between the Union and the States, with its primary objective being the review of Centre-State relations within the existing constitutional framework.

1. Historical and Political Context

The commission was born out of a decade of tensions that threatened the federal fabric of India. The key background factors include:

  • Demand for State Autonomy: By the early 1980s, several states (especially those ruled by opposition parties) were clamoring for greater administrative and financial autonomy. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973) and the West Bengal Memorandum (1977) had already highlighted these grievances.
  • Rise of Regional Parties: The emergence of powerful regional players (like the Akali Dal, DMK, and Left Front) challenged the centralization of power and demanded a reassessment of the balance of power.
  • Misuse of Article 356: Frequent imposition of President’s Rule to dismiss duly elected state governments had led to a crisis of confidence in the Office of the Governor.

2. Composition and Mandate

The Commission was headed by Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria (retired Supreme Court judge). Other members included Shri B. Sivaraman and Dr. S.R. Sen.

  • Objective: To examine the working of existing arrangements between the Union and States in legislative, administrative, and financial spheres.
  • Constraints: It was explicitly tasked to suggest changes within the framework of the Constitution, keeping national unity and integrity as the paramount priority.

Definition of Key Term

Cooperative Federalism: A concept where the Central and State governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems, rather than making policies separately but clash on overlapping jurisdictions.

Conclusion

The Sarkaria Commission submitted its massive report in 1988 with 247 recommendations. While it favored the status quo regarding the distribution of powers, it emphasized functional changes and the need for institutionalized consultation through bodies like the Inter-State Council (Article 263). It remains the most authoritative "blueprint" for a healthy Indian federation.

Word Count: 248 words