NOTES PREPARED BY
KHURSHEED AHMAD
TEACHER IN SCHOOL
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
FEDERALISM
Federalism: Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided belween a central authority and various constituent units of the country. Usually, afederation has two levels of government. One is the government for the entire country that is usually responsible for a few subjects of common national interest. The others are governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much of the day-to-day administering of their state. Both these levels of governments enjoy their power independent of the other.
The Indian Federation: ' The word 'federation' has not been used in the constitution of India, but the Indian Union was formed on the basis of federalism. The Constitution originally provided for a two-tier system of government. The Union Government or Central Government represents the Union of India and the State governments represent the provinces. Later, a third tier was added in the federation, with the formation of Panchayats and Municipalities.
Key Features of Federalism: The federal system has dual objectives: to safeguard and promote unity of the country, while at the same time accommodate regional diversity
There are two kinds of routes through which federations have been formed, which are as follows:
- Coming together federations: In this type of federation, the constituent states have equal power and are stronger vis-Ã -vis the central government.
- Holding together federation: In this type of federation, the central government is more powerful than the state government.
List of Jurisdiction: Union List: State List: Concurrent List: Residuary List: Special Status:
Define federalism.
Ans: A system of government where power is divided between centre and states is called federalism
Explain features of federalism.
Ans: 1. There are two or more levels of government.
2. The jurisdiction of the respective tiers of government are specified in the constitution
3. Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and powers of different levels of government.
4. Sources of revenue of each level of government are specified to ensure its financial autonomy.
5. Under federalism, local self government is established, by which people get opportunity to participate in administration.
What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
Ans: In a federal form of government, the central government shares its powers with the various constituent units of the country. For example, in India, power is divided between the government at the Centre and the various State governments.In a unitary form of government, all the power is exercised by only one government. For example, in Sri Lanka, the national government has all the powers.
Name the types of federalism.
Ans: 1. Coming together federations
2. Holding together federations
What is 'Coming Together Federation'
The type of federation in which independent states come together on their own to form a bigger unit, so that by pooling sovereignty and retaining identity they can increase their security
What is meant by 'Holding together Federation'?
In this type of federation a large country decides to divide its power between Constituent States' and 'National Government'.
Give examples of countries having 'holding together federal structure'.
Ans:- India, Spain, Belgium
What makes India a federal Country
For what reasons India adopted Federal System of Government?
Ans: The reasons due to which India adopted Federal System of Government are:
1. India is a big country with an extensive territory and rich diversity.
2. Many religions and languages coexist in our country. Thus it was considered that a federal system of government would be ideal to manage the affairs of our country.
Examine the factors that make India a federal country.
Ans: I. Divisions of powers: The most important feature of federation is the division of powers between the central government and various state governments.
2 Written and Rigid Constitution: The second feature of a federal govemment is that it has a written, rigid and a supreme constitution.
3. An Independent Judiciary: India has an independent judicial system. The supreme court of India has original powers and has the exclusive authority of settling disputes between the government of India and one or more states, or between two or more states.
What are the core reasons for the success of federalism in India?
Ans: 1. Respect for diversity,
2. The constitutional provisions are laid out very clearly.
3. The nature of democratic politics ensures its success.
How is Federalism practised
Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to Belgium
one feature that is different from that of Belgium.
Ans: In India, just like in Belgium, the central government has to share its powers with the regional governments. However, unlike India, Belgium has a community government in addition to the central and the state government.
Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an
argument and an example to support any of these positions.
Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.
Ans: Sangeeta's reaction is better than those of the other two. Unlike Sri Lanka (where the language of the majority has been promoted), the Indian polity has given equality of status to all the major languages spoken in the country. This has led to the avoidance of social conflict on linguistic basis. The policy of accommodation has made administration of States easier. It has also ensured a larger participation in the government's activities by people who speak various languages.
Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:
Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa
Indicated by red 🔴 dots
Sikkim, Manipur, Chhattisgarh and Goa
Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.
Discuss need for decentralization in India. What steps were taken in this regard?
Ans: A vast country like India cannot be run only through two-tiers of government. Some of the Indian states are bigger than independent countries of Europe. The population of Uttar Pradesh is more than that of Russia. These states are internally very diverse in terms of variety of dialects, cating habits and culture. Hence, a need for creating a third tier of government was always being felt. There are many local issues which can only be solved by a local governing body. It is also possible to ensure direct participation of people in such a voverning bodyA major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective. The local governing bodics were given constitutional status
(a) Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
(b) . Seats are reserved in for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes and women.
(C) . An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
(d) . The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from State to State. Rural local gAovernment is popularly known by the name panchayati raj.
(e) . Each village, or a group of villages in some States, has a gram panchayat. This is ,a council consisting of several ward members, often called panch. The president of the panchayat is called sarpanch.
(f) . The local government structure goes right up to the district level. Similarly, local government bodies exist for urban areas as well. Municipalities are set up in towns. Big cities are constituted into municipal corporations. Both municipalities and municipal corporations are controlled by elected bodies consisting of people's representatives. Municipal chairperson is the political head of the municipality. In a municipal corporation such an officer is called the mayor.
State any two differences between the local government before and after theconstitutional amendment in 1992.
Local governments Before constitutional amendment in 1992
- Elections were not held regularly
- Local governments did not have any powers or resources of their own.
Local government After Constitutional amendment in 1992
- It is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies
- The state government are required to share some powers and ravanue with local government bodie
Explain the working of rural local government. What are the powers and responsibilities of panchayats?
Under the 3-tier system of decentralization. Zilla Parishad is the apex body at the District level. It is followed by Panchayat Samitis at the block level as the second tier and is further followed by Gram Panchayats as the third tier. Each village, generally, has a gram panchayat whose members are elected by the entire adult population of that village. A few gram panchayats are joined together to form a Panchayat Samiti or Block, all the Panchayat Samitis in a district collectively make the Zillah Parishad. Most members of the zilla parishad are elected. Members of the Lok Sabha and MLAs of that district and some other officials of other district level bodies are also its members. Zilla parishad chairperson is the political head of the zilla parishad
Powers and responsibilities: According to the constitutions, Panchayats shall be given power and authority in relation to following matters:
- Preparation of plan for social development of the village.
- Implementation of schemes for economic development of the village.
- It will charge and collect all the due taxes, duties, tolls and fees.
What are the problems of local self government?
The problem's of local self government are asunder;
1. Irregular Elections: In most states, election to panchayats are irregular and uncertain leading to monopoly of the previously elected powers.
2.Domination of Upper Caste: The Panchayati raj system is mostly dominated by the rich farmers, money lenders, and upper caste people, So the Panchayati raj Act provides for reservation for SCs and STs in proportion to their population
3. Ignorance, Illiteracy and poverty of the villagers: Ignorance about the rights is high among the villagers. Also illiteracy and poverty of the people lead to less enthusiasm about the Panchayati raj system
4. Excessive Official Control: District officials interfere universally in the working of the panchayats and also dissolve it or suspend it according to their will.
5 Lack of Adequate Funds: A lot of money is needed for the development activities and the sources of income are limited. This leads to ill-functioning of the panchayat system
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