Provisions with respect to an inter-State Council

Draft Article 246, Draft Constitution of India 1948

If at any time it appears to the President that the public interests would be served by the establishment of a Council charged with the duty of-

(a) Inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may have arisen between States;

(b) Investigating and discussing subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States have a common interest; or

(c) Making recommendations upon any such subject and, in particular, recommendations for the better co-ordination of policy and action with respect to that subject, it shall be lawful for the President by order to establish such a Council and to define the nature of the duties to be performed by it and its organisation and procedure.

Article 263, Constitution of India 1950

If at any time it appears to the President that the public interests would be served by the establishment of a Council charged with the duty of—

(a) inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may have arisen between States;

(b) investigating and discussing subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States, have a common interest; or

(c) making recommendations upon any such subject and, in particular, recommendations for the better co-ordination of policy and action with respect to that subject,

it shall be lawful for the President by order to establish such a Council, and to define the nature of the duties to be performed by it and its organisation and procedure.

The proposed Draft Article allowed for the establishment of an inter-State Council by the President. The President can do so if it appears that the establishment of such Council will serve public interests.

There was no debate on the Draft Article.

Draft Article 246 was adopted on 13th June,1949.