Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commission

6.1 Sarkaria Commission (1983–1987)

Chairman: Justice R.S. Sarkaria
Constituted by: Rajiv Gandhi government
Terms of Reference: To examine and review the Centre–State relationship in light of experience since 1950

Key recommendations:

Area	Recommendation
Article 356	Should be used as a last resort; strict compliance with Bommai-type safeguards; Governor's report should not be the sole basis
Governor's appointment	Should be an eminent person from outside the state; should not be a recent active politician; CM should be consulted
Governor's conduct	Should not act against the elected government's interests; reservation of bills should be sparingly used
Inter-State Council	Should be made functional and meet regularly
All India Services	Should be maintained and possibly expanded
Concurrent List legislation	Centre should consult states before legislating on Concurrent List subjects
Planning Commission	Should function more collaboratively with states

6.2 Punchhi Commission (2007–2010)

Chairman: Justice M.M. Punchhi (former CJI)
Constituted by: UPA government (PM Manmohan Singh)
Focus: Post-coalition era Centre–State tensions; terrorism; disaster management; role of Governor

Key recommendations:

Area	Recommendation
Article 356	"Last resort"; floor test mandatory before dismissal; define "constitutional breakdown" precisely
Governor	CM must be consulted before appointing Governor; Governor to have a fixed tenure; can be removed only through impeachment-like process
Inter-State Council	Should be given constitutional status; mandatory meetings; dedicated secretariat
Concurrent List	Centre should frame only framework legislation on Concurrent subjects; states should fill in details
Natural resources	Royalties on minerals extracted from states should be rationalised in states' favour
Disaster management	Establish national security doctrine; separate fund for disaster management
Finances	Cesses and surcharges should be included in divisible pool gradually

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