Lok Sabha Question No. 76 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-21
Subject: Centre-State Relations
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 76

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st July, 2015/Ashadha 30, 1937 (Saka)

**CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS**

76.    SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure better Centre-State Relations as envisioned under Article 263 of the Constitution of India and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the manner in which the Government proposes to continue its earlier policies towards better Centre-State Relations after the disbanding of the Planning Commission and setting up of NITI Aayog in its place;

(c) whether the Inter-State Council Secretariat on behalf of the Government has tied up with the Forum of Federations,  Ottawa, Canada towards improving Centre-State Relations mechanism; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARIBHAI PARTHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a):	The Inter-State Council (ISC) has been set up by the Government of India under Article 263 of the Constitution through a Presidential Order dated 28.05.1990. The ISC is a recommendatory body and has been assigned  the following duties:

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LS.US.Q.NO.76. DATED FOR 21.07.2015

(i)	Investigating and discussing such subjects, in which some or all of the States or the Union and one or more of the States have a common interest, as may be brought  before it.

(ii)	Making recommendations upon any such subject and in particular recommendations for the better coordination of policy and action with respect to that subject; and

(iii)	Deliberating upon such other matters of general interest to the States as may be referred by the Chairman to the Council.

(b):	Resolution No. 511/2/1/2015-Cab dated 1 st January 2015 replacing Planning Commission with NITI Aayog mentions that an important evolutionary change from the past will be replacing a centre-to-state one-way flow of policy by a genuine and continuing partnership with the States. NITI Aayog will work towards the objectives, which inter-alia includes:-

- To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of the national objectives;

- To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis.

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LS.US.Q.NO.76. DATED FOR 21.07.2015

(c) & (d):	Inter-State Council Secretariat on behalf of Government of India had entered into a Framework arrangement with Forum of Federations, Ottawa, Canada, a Non-Governmental Organization registered as a charitable organization under the laws of Canada in 2005 with a membership fee of US$ 50,000 per annum for a period of three years. The Framework Arrangement was subsequently renewed for further period of three years in 2008 and in 2011. The Framework Arrangement was again renewed on 24 th March, 2015 between Government of India & Forum of Federations with an enhanced contribution of US $ 1,00,000 per annum for a period of three years.

The objective of this Arrangement is to create an international partnership that would support the Forum and the partner Governments in improving governance and strengthening democracy by promoting dialogue on the practices, principles and possibilities of federalism.

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