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a).

Tension areas in the Union-State relations


The Union-State relations in India are a complex tapestry woven from the
constitutional provisions that establish a federal structure with a strong bias
towards the Union. Over the years, several areas have emerged as points of
contention between the Union and the State governments, often leading to
political tension and constitutional debates.

**The Early Phase (1950-67)** was marked by central dominance, where the
Congress party, under Nehru's leadership, held sway both at the center and in
the states. The Planning Commission and the National Development Council
were the instruments of central supremacy, often encroaching upon state
subjects like education and health¹.

**The Second Phase (1967-77)** saw the emergence of regional parties


challenging the central dominance, leading to a more balanced federal structure.
However, the central government's power to dismiss state governments under
Article 356 and the use of All-India Services for central intervention remained
contentious issues¹.

**The Third Phase (1977-89)** witnessed a further shift towards cooperative


federalism, but tensions persisted over the appointment and role of governors,
the use of President's Rule, and financial relations, particularly the sharing of
finances and grants-in-aid¹.

**The Final Phase (1989-onwards)** has been characterized by coalition


politics at the center and the rise of regional aspirations, leading to a more
equitable but still contentious Union-State relationship. The central
government's authority over national emergencies, deployment of central forces,
and legislative powers during President's Rule are areas that continue to
generate friction¹.

Administrative relations also contribute to the tension, with the central


government's power to provide guidelines to the states often being perceived as
intrusive. The distribution of legislative subjects among the Union, State, and
Concurrent lists is another flashpoint, especially when the Union encroaches
upon state subjects².

Key issues include the mode of appointment and dismissal of governors,


discriminatory financial allocations, and the role of central institutions like the
Planning Commission in approving state projects. The management of All-India
Services and the use of electronic media for political purposes also stir up
disputes³.

In conclusion, while the Indian Constitution envisages a federal structure, the


tilt towards the Union has historically led to tension areas in Union-State
relations. These tensions are a natural outcome of the dynamic process of
governance and reflect the evolving political landscape of India. The challenge
lies in balancing the autonomy of states with the unity of the nation, ensuring
that the federal spirit of the Constitution is upheld while addressing the practical
needs of governance.
A). Tension regions within the Union-State members of the family

The Union-State relations in India are a complicated tapestry woven from the
constitutional provisions that establish a federal structure with a sturdy bias
towards the Union. Over the years, numerous regions have emerged as factors
of rivalry between the Union and the State governments, often main to political
tension and constitutional debates.

**The Early Phase (1950-sixty seven)** was marked by way of important


dominance, where the Congress birthday party, beneath Nehru's leadership, held
sway each on the middle and in the states. The Planning Commission and the
National Development Council had been the units of vital supremacy, regularly
encroaching upon kingdom subjects like schooling and health¹.

**The Second Phase (1967-seventy seven)** noticed the emergence of


regional events difficult the primary dominance, main to a extra balanced
federal structure. However, the central authorities’ electricity to disregard nation
governments underneath Article 356 and the usage of All-India Services for
important intervention remained contentious issues¹.

**The Third Phase (1977-89)** witnessed a in addition shift closer to


cooperative federalism, however tensions endured over the appointment and
function of governors, the usage of President's Rule, and economic relations,
especially the sharing of finances and presents-in-aid¹.

**The Final Phase (1989-onwards)** has been characterised with the aid of
coalition politics at the middle and the rise of nearby aspirations, main to a extra
equitable but still contentious Union-State courting. The critical authorities's
authority over countrywide emergencies, deployment of significant forces, and
legislative powers throughout President's Rule are areas that keep to generate
friction¹.

Administrative members of the family additionally contribute to the anxiety,


with the principal authorities's power to provide recommendations to the states
frequently being perceived as intrusive. The distribution of legislative subjects
most of the Union, State, and Concurrent lists is any other flashpoint, especially
when the Union encroaches upon nation subjects².

Key troubles consist of the mode of appointment and dismissal of governors,


discriminatory financial allocations, and the function of vital establishments just
like the Planning Commission in approving country projects. The management
of All-India Services and the use of electronic media for political functions also
fire up disputes³.

In end, whilst the Indian Constitution envisages a federal shape, the tilt in the
direction of the Union has historically caused tension regions in Union-State
relations. These tensions are a natural outcome of the dynamic process of
governance and mirror the evolving political landscape of India. The task lies in
balancing the autonomy of states with the harmony of the country, making sure
that the federal spirit of the Constitution is upheld while addressing the sensible
needs of governance.

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