Punchhi Commission

The Second commission on Centre-State Relations was set-up by the Government of India in April 2007 under the Chairmanship of Madan Mohan Punchhi, former Chief Justice of India to examine the issues of Centre-State relations.

Recommendations: There should be greater flexibility to states in relation to subjects in the State List and “transferred items” in the Concurrent List.

• The period of six months should be made applicable for the President to decide on assenting or withholding assent to a state bill reserved for consideration of the President.
• Governors should be given a fixed tenure of five years and their removal should not be at the pleasure of the Government at the Centre.
• Inter-State Council should be made a credible, powerful and fair mechanism for management of interstate and Centre-state differences.
• The Zonal Councils should meet at least twice a year with an agenda proposed by states concerned to maximise co-ordination and promote harmonisation of policies and action having inter- state ramification.