New Delhi, April 30
Union home minister Shivraj Patil today said the Punchhi commission on centre-state relations would consult all chief ministers and other state leaders before making any recommendation.

Patil said any recommendation made by the commission would be discussed in inter-state councils before its consideration.

The minister's assurance came in the Lok Sabha during zero hour after CPM member V. Radhakrishnan wanted to know whether the executive can appoint such a commission without consulting states.

The government had announced the constitution of a commission under the chairmanship of former Chief Justice M. M. Punchhi to look into centre-state relations, arming it with powers to examine the possibility of sending forces to states and take up investigations of inter-state crimes.

Some of the members raised objections to the terms of reference of the commission saying these should be in consultation with states as it involved law and order.

The centre should go for wider consultations with respective chief ministers, they said.

Patil said the decision to constitute the commission was taken after discussions among UPA partners.

The Punchhi commission is going to consider many issues different from the previous Sarkaria commission, Patil said and appealed to members not to comment without going into details of the terms of reference as this could lead to misunderstanding.