The Indian Constitution does not have a specific section exclusively dedicated to inter-state relations, various articles address aspects related to cooperation, coordination, and resolution of disputes among states.
1. Article 1: Name and Territory of the Union:
- Article 1 defines the territory of India, including the states and union territories. It forms the foundation for the existence of multiple states within the Indian Union.
2. Article 3: Formation of New States and Alteration of Areas, Boundaries, or Names of Existing States:
- This article empowers the Parliament to form new states, alter boundaries, or change the names of existing states. It involves a consultative process with the concerned states and their legislatures.
3. Article 131: Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court:
- Article 131 grants the Supreme Court original jurisdiction in disputes between the Government of India and one or more states or between two or more states. This facilitates the resolution of legal disputes involving inter-state relations.
4. Article 132: Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Appeals from High Courts in Certain Cases:
- This article outlines the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in cases involving interpretation of the Constitution, including disputes between states or between the Government of India and one or more states.
5. Article 133: Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Appeals from High Courts in regard to Civil Matters:
- Similar to Article 132, Article 133 deals with the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in civil matters, including those arising from disputes between states.
6. Article 143: Power of the President to Consult the Supreme Court:
- Article 143 empowers the President to seek the advice of the Supreme Court on questions of law or fact that are of public importance. This provision can be utilized in matters related to inter-state disputes.
7. Article 262: Adjudication of Disputes Relating to Waters of Inter-State Rivers or River Valleys:
- Article 262 provides for the adjudication of disputes related to the waters of inter-state rivers or river valleys. It allows Parliament to regulate the use of water resources in inter-state rivers.
8. Article 263: Provisions with respect to an Inter-State Council:
- Article 263 authorizes the establishment of an Inter-State Council to facilitate cooperation and coordination among states on matters of common interest. The President can set up such a council to promote harmonious relations between the center and states.
9. Article 268: Duties Levied by the Union but Collected and Appropriated by the States:
- Article 268 deals with the distribution of revenue between the Union and the states, emphasizing the cooperative nature of fiscal relations.
10. Article 278: Grants from the Union to Certain Funds:
Article 278 allows grants from the Union to specific funds of states. It reflects the financial cooperation between the center and states.
11. Article 279: Constitution of a Finance Commission:
Article 279 provides for the establishment of a Finance Commission, which recommends the distribution of financial resources between the center and states.
12. Article 324: Superintendence, Direction, and Control of Elections to be Vested in an Election Commission:
While primarily dealing with the Election Commission, Article 324 indirectly addresses inter-state relations by ensuring a fair and impartial electoral process in states.
13. Article 355: Duty of the Union to Protect States against External Aggression and Internal Disturbance:
Article 355 emphasizes the duty of the Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbances, reflecting the cooperative approach in matters of security.
14. Article 356: Provisions in case of Failure of Constitutional Machinery in States:
While primarily dealing with the imposition of President’s Rule in states, Article 356 involves coordination and intervention by the Union in case of a breakdown of constitutional machinery in states.
These articles collectively form the constitutional framework for inter-state relations in India, addressing issues ranging from disputes and consultations to financial cooperation and electoral processes. They reflect the principles of federalism and cooperative governance inherent in the Indian constitutional structure.
