FEDERALISM

Federalism is a system of govt. where power is divided btw Central Authority

( responsible for a few subjects of
Both these levels of governments enjoy their power
independent of the other. common national interest)
Various constituent units of the country
(that look after much of the day-to-day
administering of their state)

FEATURES OF FEDERALISM
2 or more levels of government
each tier has its own jurisdiction in specific matters
of Legislation, Taxation, & Administration
these jurisdictions are specified in the constitution.
So, existence and authority of each tier is
constitutionally guaranteed.
Fundamental provisions of the constitution

cannot be changed require consent of BOTH LEVELS

unilaterally of govt.
Courts power to interpret CONSTITUTION
act as UMPIRE in disputes between levels
of govt. in exercise of their respective powers
Sources of revenue are clearly specified for each tier of
govt. to ensure FINANCIAL AUTONOMY

COMING TOGETHER FEDERATION HOLDING TOGETHER FEDERATION

Involves independent States coming together on their
own to form a bigger unit, so that by pooling
sovereignty and retaining identity they can increase
their security.
Const. states usually have equal power & are as strong
as Central govt.
Large country decides to divide its power between
National govt. & constituent states.
Central govt. is more powerful than the States.
Very often different constituent units of the
federation have unequal powers. Some units are
granted special powers.

Ex- India, Belgium, Spain

Ex- U.S.A, Switzerland, Australia
 HOW IS FEDERALISM PRACTICED
Linguistic States Language Policy
1st and Major test for Democratic Politics
Many safeguards to protect other languages
Boundaries of old states were changed to create
Besides Hindi, their are 21 other Scheduled
new states
Languages
This made administration easier
States too have their official language. Much
Formation of linguistic states made the country
of the govt. work takes place in the official
more united.
language of concerned state
Some states were created not on the basis of
language but to recognise differences based on
cultural ethnicity or geography. Ex- Nagaland,
Jharkhand

Centre-State Relations
Before 1990
Restructuring Centre - State relations has
strengthened Federalism in practice.
For a long time, same party ruled Centre and most
of the states. State govts. didn't exercise their rights
as AUTONOMOUS FEDERAL UNITS.
Central govts. dismissed state govt. ruled by rival
parties.
After 1990
Rise of regional political parties & beginning
of era of COALITION govt. at the CENTRE
No single party got majority at Lok Sabha &
majority national party formed alliance with
regional parties to form govt. at the Centre.
This led to a new culture of Power Sharing &
respect for autonomy of State govt.
A major judgement passed by Supreme
Court made it difficult for Centre Govt. to
dismiss state govt.

What makes India a Federal Country?

3 tiers of govt. --> each enjoys separate jurisdiction
Constitution provided 3 fold distribution of Legislative Powers between Union and State govt.

Union List State List Concurrent List

Defence, Foreign Affairs, Police, Trade, Agriculture, Education, forest, marriage,
Banking, Currency,etc Irrigation, etc adoption, succession, etc.

Union govt. has the power to legislate on Residuary Subjects.

Union and State govt. have the power to raise resources by levying taxes.
Judiciary sees disputes regarding division of powers -
Judiciary oversees implementation of constitutional procedures and provisions.
DECENTRALISATION
A vast country like India can't run be through 2 tiers of government.States in India are as large as countries in
Europe in India are internally very diverse.-->THUS NEED FOR ANOTHER TIER OF GOVT.
What is Decentralisation? --> When powers are taken away from the Central and State Govt. and given to the
Local govt. --> It is called Decentralisation.

Why Decentralisation?

Because a large number of
problems are best settled at
Local Level.
People have better knowledge
of problems in their localities
like where to spend money &
manage things efficiently.
At Local Level --> There is
direct participation of
people in decision making.
This also inculcates
democratic participation.

RURAL SELF GOVT.

Each village has a gram Panchayat Few gram panchayat forms
consisting of several ward members panchayat Samiti / Block /
(Panch) and a President (Sarpanch) Mandal. The members of this
.They are directly elected by the adult representative bodies are elected
population of that ward or village . It by all the Panchayat members in
works under the supervision of Gram that area .
Sabha .

In big cities, there are Municipal All panchayat samitis or mandals of

Corporations.Both these local
government bodies are controlled by
elected bodies consisting of people 's
representatives.
the district together form Zila
Parishad . Members of Loksabha ,
MLAs of that district and some other
officials of other district level bodies
are also its members .
 CONDITION OF LOCAL SELF GOVT.
Before 1992 After 1992
Punchayats (villages) and Municipalities(urban Major Steps were taken. Constitution was
areas) were directly under control of state govt. amended to make 3rd tier of govt. more powerful.

no regular elections. It was constitutionally made mandatory to hold

elections to local govt. bodies
Local govt – no power or resources of its own.
Atleast 1/3rd of all positions reserved for women.
Thus, very little decentralisation in effective terms.
SEC (independent constitution) setup in each
state to conduct panchayat & municipal elections.

State govts. now share power and revenue with

local govt. bodies. However, nature of sharing
varies from state to state.

LOCAL SELF GOVT.

Achievements Challenges
Largest experiment in democracy. Gram Sabhas not held regularly.
36 L elected representatives in punchayats & No significant transfer of powers/resources
municipalities from state govts.
helped deepen democracy (constitutional status for We are still a long very from realising the idea
local govt.) of self govt.
↑sed women’s representation

*SEC - State Election Commission