Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Briefly introduce the concept of federalism in India. State the significance of cooperation, competition, and confrontation in shaping the Indian federation. Cooperation Define cooperative federalism and its importance in India. Provide examples: Goods and Services Tax (GST): Highlight how GST represents a ...
Model Answer Introduction The Indian federal system exhibits a quasi-federal nature, where the central government wields greater authority than state governments. In this framework, the Principle of Federal Supremacy and the Harmonious Construction doctrine are pivotal in addressing disputes relatedRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
The Indian federal system exhibits a quasi-federal nature, where the central government wields greater authority than state governments. In this framework, the Principle of Federal Supremacy and the Harmonious Construction doctrine are pivotal in addressing disputes related to the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and State Governments.
Principle of Federal Supremacy
The distribution of legislative powers in India is enshrined in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which categorizes subjects into three lists: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. According to Article 246, when conflicts arise between Union and State laws on subjects within the Concurrent List, Union law prevails. This establishes the Principle of Federal Supremacy. A landmark case illustrating this principle is Tika Ramji vs. State of Uttar Pradesh (1956), where the Supreme Court upheld the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, asserting that the Union law takes precedence over conflicting state legislation (Source: Supreme Court judgments).
Harmonious Construction
The Harmonious Construction approach is employed by the judiciary to interpret and reconcile conflicting provisions of Union and State laws, ensuring their harmonious coexistence. This principle was significantly applied in the case of State of Rajasthan vs. G. Chawla (1959), where the Supreme Court analyzed the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, against the Rajasthan Public Servants (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1956. The Court concluded that both laws could operate within their respective domains without conflict, thereby promoting a cooperative federal framework (Source: Supreme Court judgments).
Conclusion
The Principle of Federal Supremacy and Harmonious Construction are essential doctrines that facilitate the resolution of contentious legislative power disputes in India. They foster a balanced and harmonious relationship within the constitutional framework, ensuring that both Union and State laws can coexist effectively.
See less
Model Answer Introduction India’s federal system is shaped by a complex interplay of cooperation, competition, and confrontation between the central and state governments. Cooperation plays a significant role in fostering collaborative planning and policy-making. An example is the establishment of tRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
India’s federal system is shaped by a complex interplay of cooperation, competition, and confrontation between the central and state governments. Cooperation plays a significant role in fostering collaborative planning and policy-making. An example is the establishment of the NITI Aayog, which promotes cooperative federalism by facilitating dialogue and coordination between the center and the states in matters of economic planning and development.
Cooperation
The Indian federal system is designed to facilitate cooperation between the center and the states. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a prime example of cooperative federalism, where both the center and the states have pooled their powers to create a unified tax system. This collaborative approach has streamlined the tax structure and improved economic integration across states. Another example is the NITI Aayog, which replaced the Planning Commission, fostering collaborative planning and policy-making between the center and the states.
Competition
Competitive federalism encourages states to improve their performance and policies to attract investment, businesses, and resources. In recent years, the center has adopted a competitive approach to allocate resources, prompting states to streamline their regulations and policies. The ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings have created healthy competition among states to improve their business environments. The Smart Cities Mission is another example where competition is used as a driving force to encourage cities to develop innovative solutions for urban development.
Confrontation
Despite the cooperative and competitive aspects of the Indian federation, confrontations between the center and the states have occurred. These confrontations can arise due to political, administrative, or legal issues. Recent examples include the conflict between the central government and the West Bengal government over the CBI’s jurisdiction and the tussle between the central government and the Delhi government over administrative control. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) also led to confrontations between some state governments and the center, with some states refusing to implement the Act.
Conclusion
India’s federal system has been shaped by cooperation, competition, and confrontation. Cooperation and competition foster efficient policy-making and resource allocation, while confrontation can uphold federal principles. Balancing these elements is vital for the federation’s smooth functioning and addressing India’s diverse needs.
See less