| Introduction: Contextual introduction. Body: Explain some mechanisms available to resolve inter-state boundary conflicts in India. Also write associated issues. Conclusion: Write a way forward. |
According to the Union Home Ministry (MHA) 11 States and one Union Territory have boundary disputes between them and “occasional protests and incidents of violence are reported from some of the disputed border areas”. Recently, a dispute between Assam and Meghalaya at the border resulted into loss of lives. Also, a border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra is boiling.
Available mechanisms to resolve inter-state boundary conflicts:
- Inter-state border disputes can be resolved by the states themselves or by the Centre through dialogue and political
- Inter-state council: Under Article 263 of the Constitution,the Inter-state council is expected to inquire and advise on disputes, discuss subjects common to all states and make recommendations for better policy coordination.
- Judicial mechanism: Article 131 confers, on the Supreme Court of India, exclusive jurisdiction to deal with disputes which involves any question (whether of law or of fact), on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.
- Zonal Councils: under the States Re-organisation Act, 1956, five Zonal Councils have been set up. Besides this, a North Eastern Council has been set up under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971.
Issues:
- These conflicts are rooted in reorganisation of states. Initially the states were reorganised on linguistic lines and later over other issues. It left many matters unresolved over borders and river water sharing.
- The zonal councils with CMs, although meet regularly, it is not enough. For example, Maharashtra and Karnataka fall in different zones.
- The national level mechanisms like Inter-State Councils (ISCs) are ineffective. In the last 16 years, just two meetings of ISCs have been held. It is merely an advisory body with no bindings on either the centre or the state. Thus, often its recommendations are ignored by the government at the centre as well as the states.
Way forward:
- Regular meetings of Inter-State Councils (ISCs) must be held.
- Zonal councils need to be revived to discuss the matters of common concern to states in each zone—matters relating to social and economic planning, border disputes, inter-state transport, etc.
