Evaluate the duties of the Union government concerning national security, such as leading the armed forces, overseeing domestic security, and coordinating measures to mitigate and respond to disasters.
The Indian Constitution provides various mechanisms for the resolution of disputes between the Union and the States, or among the States themselves. These mechanisms include: Arbitration: The Constitution empowers the Union government to refer disputes to arbitration. For example, the 1995 dispute bRead more
The Indian Constitution provides various mechanisms for the resolution of disputes between the Union and the States, or among the States themselves. These mechanisms include:
Arbitration: The Constitution empowers the Union government to refer disputes to arbitration. For example, the 1995 dispute between the Union government and the State of Andhra Pradesh over the sharing of Krishna River waters was resolved through arbitration.
Negotiation: The Centre and States can negotiate and reach an agreement through direct talks. For instance, the dispute between the Centre and the State of Tamil Nadu over the Kaveri River water sharing was resolved through negotiations.
Supreme Court intervention: The Supreme Court has played a significant role in resolving disputes between the Centre and States, or among States themselves. For example, in the Sompalia case (1980), the Court held that the Centre has no authority to unilaterally alter the boundaries of a State.
Dispute resolution bodies: Various bodies have been established to resolve disputes between States, such as:
The Interstate Council: This body was set up in 1990 to promote cooperation and resolve disputes between States.
The Zonal Councils: These councils were established in 1956 to promote cooperation and resolve disputes among States within specific regions.
The North Eastern Council: This council was set up in 1971 to promote development and resolve disputes among States in the North Eastern region.
Role of the Supreme Court:
Original jurisdiction: The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over disputes between the Centre and States, or among States themselves.
Appellate jurisdiction: The Court has appellate jurisdiction over decisions made by high courts and other tribunals.
Public interest litigations: The Court can take cognizance of public interest litigations (PILs) and issue directions to resolve disputes.
Advisory jurisdiction: In some cases, the Court can offer advisory opinions on disputes between the Centre and States or among States.
Recent developments:
The Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, has been amended to provide for a more efficient mechanism for resolving water disputes between States.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has established a new mechanism for resolving border disputes between States.
The Centre has established a High-Powered Committee (HPC) to resolve disputes related to coal block allocation.
Challenges:
Delayed decision-making: Dispute resolution mechanisms can be slow, leading to delays in resolving conflicts.
Lack of political will: Disputes often require political will to resolve, which can be lacking at times.
Complexity of issues: Disputes can involve complex issues, such as water sharing, border disputes, or land acquisition, making resolution challenging.
In conclusion, India’s constitution provides a range of mechanisms for resolving disputes between the Union and States, or among States themselves. While these mechanisms have helped resolve some disputes, there are ongoing challenges related to delayed decision-making, lack of political will, and complexity of issues. The Supreme Court plays a crucial role in resolving these disputes, but its intervention is often necessary to ensure that conflicts are resolved in a timely and effective manner.
The Union government has significant responsibilities in the realm of national security, including: Command of the armed forces: The Union government is responsible for the overall command and control of the Indian Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Ministry of Defence (Read more
The Union government has significant responsibilities in the realm of national security, including:
Command of the armed forces:
The Union government is responsible for the overall command and control of the Indian Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is responsible for the formulation and implementation of defence policies, and for ensuring the operational readiness of the armed forces.
The MOD is also responsible for acquiring and inducting new military equipment, and for modernizing the armed forces.
Evaluation: The Union government’s command of the armed forces has been effective in maintaining national security, with India’s military being capable of responding to a range of threats. However, there have been concerns about corruption and inefficiencies in defence procurement.
Management of internal security:
The Union government is responsible for maintaining law and order within the country, including the management of internal security agencies such as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is responsible for formulating policies on internal security, including counter-terrorism, border management, and law and order.
The MHA also coordinates with State governments to address internal security concerns.
Evaluation: The Union government’s management of internal security has been effective in addressing some internal security challenges, such as terrorism and insurgencies. However, there have been concerns about inadequate funding and resources for internal security agencies, as well as allegations of human rights abuses.
Coordination of disaster response and mitigation efforts:
The Union government is responsible for coordinating disaster response efforts through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which was established in 2006.
The NDMA works closely with State governments, other central ministries, and external agencies to respond to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and cyclones.
The NDMA also develops plans and policies for disaster risk reduction and management.
Evaluation: The Union government’s coordination of disaster response efforts has been effective in responding to major disasters such as the 2004 tsunami and the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. However, there have been concerns about inadequate preparedness and slow response times to some disasters.
Additional responsibilities:
The Union government is also responsible for:
See lessForeign policy: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is responsible for formulating India’s foreign policy, including relations with other countries, international organizations, and multilateral agreements.
National intelligence gathering: The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) is responsible for collecting intelligence on national security threats from outside India.
Border management: The Border Management Division within the MHA is responsible for managing India’s borders with neighboring countries.
Overall, the Union government plays a critical role in ensuring national security through its command of the armed forces, management of internal security, coordination of disaster response efforts, foreign policy formulation, national intelligence gathering, and border management. While there are areas for improvement, the government’s efforts have contributed to maintaining national security and stability.