Inter-State Relations

Key Provisions

• Harmonious Relations: Successful federal system depends on cooperation between Centre and states, and among states.
• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Adjudication of inter-state water disputes.
  • Coordination through inter-state councils.
  • Mutual recognition of public acts, records, and judicial proceedings.
  • Freedom of inter-state trade, commerce, and intercourse.
• Zonal Councils: Established by Parliament to promote inter-state cooperation.

Inter-State Water Disputes

• Article 262: Provides for adjudication of disputes related to inter-state rivers and river valleys.
• Laws Enacted:
  • River Boards Act (1956): Establishes river boards for regulation and development.
  • Inter-State River Water Disputes Act (1956): Empowers Central government to set up ad hoc tribunals.
• Tribunals: Decisions are final and binding; several tribunals set up so far.

Inter-State Water Dispute Tribunals

Sl. No	Name	Set-up in	States Involved
1	Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-I	1969	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
2	Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal	1969	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha
3	Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal	1969	Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
4	Ravi and Beas Water Disputes Tribunal	1986	Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
5	Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal	1990	Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry
6	Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II	2004	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
7	Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal	2010	Odisha, Andhra Pradesh
8	Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal	2010	Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra
9	Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal	2018	Odisha, Chhattisgarh

Inter-State Councils

• Article 263: Provides for the establishment of an Inter-State Council.
• Duties:
  • Enquire into and advise on disputes between states.
  • Investigate and discuss subjects of common interest.
  • Make recommendations for better coordination.
• Councils Established:
  • Central Council of Health and Family Welfare.
  • Central Council of Local Government.
  • Four Regional Councils for Sales Tax.

Establishment of Inter-State Council

• Sarkaria Commission Recommendations: Establish a permanent Inter-State Council.
• Members:
  • Prime Minister as Chairman.
  • Chief Ministers of all states.
  • Chief Ministers of UTs with legislative assemblies.
  • Administrators of UTs without legislative assemblies.
  • Governors of states under President's rule.
  • Six Central cabinet ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.

Public Acts, Records, and Judicial Proceedings

• Full Faith and Credit Clause:
  • Recognition of public acts, records, and judicial proceedings across states.
  • Parliament can lay down the mode of proof and effect.
  • Final judgments of civil courts are executable anywhere in India.

Inter-State Trade and Commerce

• Article 301: Declares freedom of trade, commerce, and intercourse throughout India.
• Restrictions:
  • Parliament can impose restrictions in public interest.
  • State legislatures can impose reasonable restrictions with President's sanction.
  • No discriminatory taxes on goods imported from other states.
  • Freedom subject to nationalization laws.

Zonal Councils

• Established by States Reorganisation Act (1956):
  • Five zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern.
  • Members: Home Minister of Central government, Chief Ministers of states, other ministers, administrators of UTs.
• Objectives:
  • Promote cooperation and coordination.
  • Discuss economic and social planning, linguistic minorities, border disputes, etc.
  • Achieve emotional integration and arrest regionalism.

Zonal Councils at a Glance

Name	Members	Headquarters
Northern Zonal Council	Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh	New Delhi
Central Zonal Council	Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh	Allahabad
Eastern Zonal Council	Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha	Kolkata
Western Zonal Council	Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	Mumbai
Southern Zonal Council	Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry	Chennai

North-Eastern Council

• Established by North-Eastern Council Act (1971):
  • Members: Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim.
  • Functions: Similar to zonal councils, plus formulating a unified regional plan and reviewing security measures.