Consider the following statements.

1. The Inter-State Council is established by an Act of the Parliament, on the request of concerned States.

2. The President can define the nature of duties to be performed by the Inter-State Council and its organization and its procedure.

3. The Parliament assigns the duties to the Inter-State Council and provides the guidelines which it has to follow while performing its duties.

4. The President can establish an Inter-State Council if at any time it appears to him that the public interest would be served.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

Solution

• Statement 1 is incorrect: An Inter-State council is not established by an Act of Parliament or the Parliament, but by the President, at any time it appears to him that public interest would be served. • Statement 2 is correct: The President is empowered to define the nature of the duties to be performed by the Inter-State Council along with its organization and procedures. Article 263 of the Constitution also specifies the duties that can be assigned to the InterState Council. • Statement 3 is incorrect: The Parliament cannot assign duties or provide guidelines for the functioning of the Inter-State Council. • Statement 4 is correct: The president can establish an Inter-State Council for enquiring into and advising upon Inter-state disputes, if any time it appears to him that the public interests would be served by the establishment of such council.