Inter-State council, NITI Aayog, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

Inter-State council	recently met after 10 years Cooperative Federalism
What	Article 263 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of an Inter-State Council.  It is not a permanent body (first time established in 1990) It can be formed for specific matters for example Health or Law etc. Under this President is given the duty to form any such council whose mandate will be: inquiring and advising upon disputes between states Investigating and discussing issues of common interest between states making recommendation for better coordination etc. Composition PM as Chairman CMs of states and UTs 6 cabinet ministers as nominated by the PM
Issues	Powers and Performance As an institution it was never taken seriously Formed in 1990 Powers Non implementation of recommendation non binding can not investigate (not given by president) do not have resources like finance or administrative Performance: not formed or meet regularly: last meeting after 12 years No disputes resolutions
Need	Political decentralization Cooperation Rising regional conflicts like  River disputes between Kr and TN Boundary disputes like Tel and AP Can be an effective tool between center and states interest As a collective body can put forward the combined demands against the center(check on unitary tendencies of Center)
Important functions	Central council on health, local and urban development are formed in the past
Recommendations	Sarkaria and Puncchi: Powers: It should be given power to investigate interstate conflicts (as mentioned constitution) River disputes Developmental functions (similar to NDC) Performance: regular meeting: thrice Experts Functional independence with professional secretariat
Other mechanism for Cooperative federalism	Constitutional: Inter-state commerce commission Full faith and credit clause GST council Statutory: Zonal council NE council Others: NITI Ayog  National Integration Council
Way forward	It has a constitutional backing and must be utilize

NITI Aayog	Premier Policy Think Tank of GoI which replaced the PC in the spirit of market economy and cooperative federalism
Role and Function	Still evolving According to Cabinet resolution 13 task into 4 Categorisation Cooperative Federalism Concurrent List : Tackling of overlapping legislative and executive function  CSS Subgroup of CM and Task Forces Union list and State list Formulation of Strategic vision and long term policy and Programme Framework Decentalised planning Law, Policy Frameworks for State Model Laws Innovation and Knowledge hub AIM, NITI Lecures, SETU Coordination Horizontal : Intergovernmental and Interdepartmental coordination
Steps Taken	Restructring of CSS Competitve Federalism (Health and Educatio index) Vision and Strategy for NEW India Policy and plans (Health, eudcatio, Private) Sharing of best practices Resolution of issues (State of Telegana-Centre)
Challenges	Fund Disbursal (earlier done by Planning commission) Centralisation concern (Absence of Parallel Institutions in States like State Planning Boards earlier) Inter-ministerial Tussle with NITI (difference in policies of Health) Danger of Bureaucratisation of NITI Aayog Overlapping of ISC and Cabinet secretariat Authenticity (Non-constitutional nature ) Gap Policy formation and implementation due to lack of resources
Way forward	Revamping Role of DPC and MPC in new environment Coordination of NITI and ISC Fund disbursal in line with its policy Compliance, monitoring and evolution must be included
Conclusion	Success will depend on the trust and Confidence it garners from the state Catalytic role Not binding but guiding role with focus on felaxibility and innovation

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

"Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" programme will be launched to link States and Districts. It is an annual programme that will connect people through exchanges in areas of language, trade, culture, travel and tourism.  good governance proposes to create a closer engagement between different States and Districts in a structured manner. The programme aims to further strengthen the existing cultural connect between different parts of the country and enhance interaction between people living in different state