Gupta For Centre- State Cooperation

The home minister listed in detail the recommendations of the sub-committee set up by the council on Centre-state relations in the light of Sarkaria Commission report. He pointed out that mutual consultation and cooperation was necessary for growth and harmonious working of dual polity.

Gupta said the sub-committee has held six sittings and considered recommendations relating to various aspects of Centre-state relations. Prominent among them are legislative and administrative relations, role of the Governor, reservation bills, all-India services, inter-governmental council and economic and social planning. The sub-committee has so far considered 190 recommendations out of 247 and accepted 155 with or without modifications, he said.

 

Gupta said the sub-committee suggested that a review of the concurrent list of the Constitution be taken up for further consideration by it after all the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission had been considered.

On the role of governors, the sub-committee has accepted the Sarkaria Commission recommendation regarding the criteria for appointment of the Governor, and inter alia, issues such as the term of appointment, premature termination of his tenure and bar on political activity by an ex-Governor.

The sub-committee, however, could not arrive at a consensus on the discretionary powers of the governor relating to dismissal of ministry and dissolution of state assembly.

He said the relevant provisions of the Constitution are of crucial importance to the concept of federal polity. These powers of the governor are closely linked with the use of article 356 and require to be considered comprehensively keeping in view the implication of the one for the other.

The home minister said no consensus could be arrived at on the recommendation relating to the question of formulation of a comprehensive set of guidelines for the exercise of powers of the Governor.

The Sarkaria Commission felt the Governor should be free to deal with any situation according to his best judgment in view of the Constitution, the law and conventions.