Model Answer

Introduction

Cooperative federalism in India emphasizes collaboration between the central and state governments to foster inclusive growth and address national challenges. However, the existing federal structure has several drawbacks that hinder its effectiveness.

Drawbacks in the Existing Structure

1. Imbalance of Financial Resources: The central government retains a larger share of financial resources, leading to a dependency on central grants. This creates fiscal imbalances among states, limiting their ability to address local needs effectively .
2. Overlapping Jurisdictions: The presence of concurrent subjects in the Constitution, such as education and forests, often results in overlapping jurisdictions. This can lead to disputes between the center and states, complicating governance .
3. Centralized Planning: Historically, centralized planning has overlooked the specific needs of states and regions, hampering their development. This top-down approach often fails to consider local contexts .
4. Ineffective Coordination: Poor coordination between the center and states in implementing policies has resulted in inefficiencies and duplication of efforts, undermining the effectiveness of various programs .
5. Politicization of Issues: Political differences between the central and state governments can impede cooperation, adversely affecting policy implementation and leading to conflicts that detract from developmental goals .

Extent to Which Cooperative Federalism Addresses These Shortcomings

Cooperative federalism has the potential to mitigate these issues through several mechanisms:

• Financial Devolution: The 14th Finance Commission increased states’ share in central taxes from 32% to 42%, promoting a more equitable distribution of resources and empowering states to meet their development needs .
• Collaborative Policy-Making: The NITI Aayog involves states in formulating national policies, fostering a spirit of cooperation and ensuring that local concerns are addressed .
• Enhanced Coordination: Centrally sponsored schemes are increasingly designed with flexibility to accommodate states’ specific requirements, promoting better coordination .
• Conflict Resolution: The Inter-State Council, established under Article 263, serves as a platform for resolving disputes and fostering cooperation between states and the center .

Conclusion

While cooperative federalism offers promising solutions to the structural drawbacks of India’s federal system, its success hinges on a commitment from both levels of government to collaborate effectively, setting aside political differences for national development.