Federalism

Types of Federalism

Federalism is a system in which the Government power is divided between a

central authority and its various constituent units.

In federal system a state government has power of its own and is not answerable to
the central government.

There are two or more tiers or levels of Government The central government, the
State Government and as an exception in India, a third tier or Local self
government.

The judiciary has the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of the
different levels of government.

There are two types of Federation; Coming Together Federation and Holding
Together Federation.

Every level is a free in its own way to impose taxes and raise funds through
remunerative enterprises.

Coming Together Federation involves independent states coming together to form

a bigger unit.

Holding Together Federation is one where a large country decides to divide its
power between the constituent states and the national government.
What Makes India A Federal Country?

India is a quasi federal country due to the power sharing ways.

The constitution provides three fold distribution of legislative power between the
central and the state governments.

The three folds are the Union List, State List, and the concurrent List.

The subjects that do not fall under any of the lists or which came up after the
constitution was made are known as Residuary subjects.

Indian federation us ‘Holding Together Federation’ and does not give equal powers
to its constituents units.

Any change has to be approved by one third majority in both the Houses of the
Parliaments and then approved by the legislature of half of the total states.

The judiciary administers both Union and State laws.

Success of Federalism in India

The most important tests for the success of Federalism in India was the creation of
Linguistic States, language Policy and Centre-State Relations.

In 1956, under the State Reorganization Commission, the states were created on
the basis of language.

Our Official Language Act provides the English would remain the official
language of the country so long as non- Hindi speaking states desire.
The constitution of India made provision for division of powers between Centre
and States.

After 1990 when a coalition government was formed at the Centre regional parties
became more powerful in the states and different parties formed alliances.

The culture of power sharing and respect for autonomy of state government spread
in India.

Decentralization in India

When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to the
Local Government bodies.

The State Government are required to share some powers and revenue with local
Government bodies.

Rural Local government is popularly known as the Panchayati Raj and consists of
the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad.

The Urban Local Government or Nagar palika comprises the Municipal

Committees in towns and Municipal Corporation in big cities.