Established by the Government of India, the Punchhi Commission on Center-State Relations was chaired by Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, a former Chief Justice of India. Its formation was prompted by the need to address emerging issues in Centre-State relations resulting from changes in India’s polity and economy.
Historical Background of Punchhi Commission: The Government of India constituted the Commission on Centre-State Relations under Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi’s chairmanship with the aim to “examine and review the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and States.” This included various aspects such as legislative relations, administrative relations, the role of governors, emergency provisions, financial relations, economic and social planning, Panchayati Raj institutions, and the sharing of resources, including inter-state river water. Established on April 27, 2007, the commission comprised distinguished individuals from various backgrounds.
Composition of Punchhi Commission:
- Chairman: Madan Mohan Punchhi, former Chief Justice of India.
- Members:
- Shri Dhirendra Singh, Former Secretary, Government of India.
- Shri Vinod Kumar Duggal, Former Secretary, Government of India.
- NR Madhav Menon, former Director, National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, and National Law School of India, Bangalore.
- Shri Vijay Shankar, Retired IPS, Former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Government of India (Member Secretary).
- Amresh Bagchi (commission member from July 4, 2007, until his death on February 20, 2008).
The commission submitted its report, comprising 273 recommendations, to the then Home Minister of India, P Chidambaram, in March 2010.
Aims and Objectives of the Punchhi Commission: The commission aimed to:
- Examine and address emerging issues in Centre-State relations.
- Evaluate existing arrangements between the Union and the States.
- Focus on legislative relations, administrative relations, and the role of governors.
- Review court pronouncements on powers, functions, and responsibilities.
- Provide recommendations on Panchayati Raj institutions, emergency provisions, financial relations, economic and social planning, and resource sharing.
The overarching objective was to contribute to developing an effective and harmonious Centre-State relationship in India, aligning with the evolving socio-political landscape.
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