The Supreme Court has the authority to hear legal issues between states and the Centre, as well as among states. However, federation experience has demonstrated that inter-state disputes of a non-legal nature happen regularly. As a result, it was determined to include some constitutional mechanisms for resolving such disagreements. The following councils were founded to strengthen center-state relations:

1. Inter-State Council:

The Constitution anticipates the establishment of an Inter-State Council (Article 263) to improve state coordination and to harmonise Union-state and inter-state ties through constitutional means. As a result, the President is given authority to establish an Inter-State Council tasked with researching and advising on inter-state issues, as well as investigating matters of one or more states or the Union. Its responsibility is to give recommendations, particularly for better policy and action cooperation on any subject. As a result, the Inter-State Council (ISC) was established in 1990.

2. Zonal Councils:

The States Re-organisation Act of 1956 established five Zonal Councils, one for each of the North, South, Eastern, Western, and Central zones. As members of each of these councils are the Union Home Minister, the Chief Ministers of the member states, and two other ministers recommended by the Governor of the State concerned and the administration of each Union Territory in the zone. Each of these bodies is chaired by the Union Home Minister as an ex-officio member. Each council is comprised of Planning Commission advisers, Chief Secretaries of the respective State Governments, and state development commissioners. These advisers are not allowed to vote. The secretariat of the Inter-State Council (ISC) now handles the secretarial functions of the Zonal Councils.

Such councils were established to promote a joint approach and effort to solve common challenges among member states. They are also meant to promote inter-state coordination and, as a result, to enhance the relationship between the centre and the states.

3. National Integration Council:

The establishment of the National Integration Council (NIC) is a significant achievement in the management of center-state relations. Members of the NIC, which is led by the Prime Minister, include Union Ministers, opposition leaders in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and Chief Ministers of all states and union territories having legislatures. Leaders of national and regional political parties, chairpersons of National Commissions, famous journalists, public figures, and representatives of business and women's organisations are also included. This council was established in the early 1960s. The council examines and provides suggestions on topics concerning national integration. The NIC seeks ways and means to counteract the threat of communalism, casteism, and regionalism. It meets on a regular basis to debate these concerns and find appropriate solutions.

4. National Development Council:

There is a Federal Constitution in India. As a result, it is critical that there be a venue where Central and State officials may meet and discuss their mutual challenges. The National Development Council (NDC) was established in August 1952 as a consequence of an executive resolution issued by the Indian government.

Functions of NDC:

The functions of NDC are:

• To prescribe guidelines for preparation of the national plan.
• To consider the national plan as prepared by the erstwhile Planning Commission and presently NITI Aayog.
• To assess the resources required to implement the plan and suggest measures to augment them.
• To consider important questions of social and economic policy affecting national development.
• To review the working of the national plan from time to time.
• To recommend steps for the achievement of the aims and targets set out in the national plan.

Composition of NDC:

The National Development Council comprises of the Chairman, all Union cabinet ministers, administrators of UTs, the Chief Ministers of all the states and the members of the NITI Aayog. The Prime Minister, who is the Chairman of the NITI Aayog, acts as the Chairman of the Council.

The Secretary of the NITI Aayog acts as the Secretary of the Council. The Union Ministers and State Ministers in-charge of the related subjects are also invited to participate in its deliberations.

In 1993, six Committees of the NDC were set-up to look into some of the critical areas of development:

• Committee on Austerity
• Committee on Population
• Committee on Employment
• Committee on Micro-Level Planning
• Committee on Literacy
• Committee on Medical Education

These Committees place their reports before the NDC for final decision and recommendation.

Meeting of NDC:

The agenda of a particular meeting of the NDC consist of:

• Items suggested by the NITI Aayog.
• Items suggested by the Central Ministers.
• Items suggested by the State Governments.

The meetings of the NDC start with an address from the Prime Minister. The Secretary of the Council prepares a memorandum on each item of the agenda which is circulated among the members in advance.

Evaluation of NDC:

The NDC provides advise at various stages of a plan's development, and following its approval, the plan is given to Parliament for consideration. The council has played a significant role in providing Indian Plans a really national flavour. Its operation demonstrates that there is almost no important issue that it is unable to discuss. Its preoccupations are numerous and diverse, and a study of its initial terms of reference does not provide a complete understanding of how it operates.

It has been quite successful in bridging and connecting the Union Government, the Planning Commission, and the various State Governments. It has provided as a good venue for talks and the open exchange of ideas, and it has instilled in the state governments a strong sense of responsibility for the plans' success. It has established a good practise of not bringing resolutions to a vote and making decisions practically unanimously. Furthermore, it is concerned with critical issues of social and economic policy that affect national growth.

5. National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog:

The Prime Minister of India serves as Chairperson of NITI Aayog, which is made up of the Prime Minister of India, the Governing Council, which includes the Chief Ministers of all states and the Lieutenant Governors of UTs, Regional Councils, full-time and part-time members, the CEO, and other experts.

 

Objectives of NITI Aayog:

The NITI Aayog will work towards the following objectives:

• To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives. The vision of the NITI Aayog will then provide a framework 'national agenda' for the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers to provide impetus to.
• To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognising that strong States make a strong nation.
• To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government.
• To ensure, on areas that are specifically referred to it, that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy.
• To pay special attention to the society that may be at risk of not benefitting adequately from economic progress.
• To design strategic and long term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, and monitor their progress and their efficacy. The lessons learnt through monitoring and feedback will be used for making innovative improvements, including necessary mid-course corrections.
• To provide advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded Think Tanks, as well as educational and policy research institutions.
• To create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system through a collaborative community of national and international experts, practitioners and other partners.
• To offer a platform for resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the development agenda.
• To maintain a state-of-the-art Resource Centre, be a repository of research on good governance and best practices in sustainable and equitable development as well as help their dissemination to stakeholders.
• To actively monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and initiatives, including the identification of the needed resources so as to strengthen the probability of success and scope of delivery.
• To focus on technology upgradation and capacity building for implementation of programmes and initiatives.
• To undertake other activities as may be necessary in order to further the execution of the national development agenda, and the objectives mentioned above.

NITI Aayog aims to enable India to better face complex challenges through the following:

• Leveraging of India's demographic dividend, and realisation of the potential of youth, men and women, through education, skill development, elimination of gender bias and employment.
• Elimination of poverty, and the chance of every Indian to live a life of diginty and self respect.
• Redressal of inequalities based on gender bias, caste and economic disparities.
• Integrate villages institutionally into the development process.
• Policy support to more than 50 million small businesses, which are a major source of employment creation.
• Safeguarding of our environmental and ecological assets.

Evaluation of NITI Ayog:

It is true that the Planning Commission and the NDC have outlived their usefulness. It was time to think beyond the box. Despite the fact that states in India have revenue-generating sources, they rely on the central government for finances and resources. It is necessary to make them financially viable. The goal of introducing cooperative federalism is unquestionably a good one for improving Centre-state relations.