IAS Preparation always requires a good understanding of UPSC Syllabus as a whole which comprises of Indian Polity, Indian Economy, Geography as a whole and Geography of India as a whole and the other Topics of Socio- Economic importance. Cooperative federalism is one such topic which requires a deeper understanding and a comparative analysis with different countries because Indian Federalism is unique in various aspects.
After the Uttarakhand Issue of President Rule, this topic regains its importance for the IAS Exam. Here we discuss the Cooperative Federalism in detail.
IAS Exam preparation serves as a turning point in the candidate’s life irrespective of his or her selection in the Civil Services. IAS Preparation changes the life of the candidates, his perspective and the outlook towards life. Such changes in an aspirant’s life could only be possible if he/she is studying and experiencing the various issues of the society. The aspirants should think and develop his/her views towards the issues which are affecting the mass population of the country.
Cooperative federalism as followed in India with examples
Concept
Federalism is the division of power between center and its various constituents, like provinces, states, cantons and so on. Cooperative federalism is a concept or subset of federalism where national, state and local governments interact cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems. They make variouspolicies separately but more or less equally or clashing over a policy in a system generally dominated by the national government, as in India or Canada.
Cooperative federalism creates such a relationship in which the national government has an upper hand in the policies and behaviors of state governments, often through the use of funding in kind or cash, manipulating the policies and norms (Ex – Freight equalization policy, SEZs etc), Constructing strategic highways or similar corridors and so on for programs. For example, if the federal government is interested in ensuring that national highways are well-maintained, they might create grants in aid, a specific kind of grant from the federal government that provides funds for the states to pursue a policy. In this case, the grants in aid would likely be for purchasing necessary constituents or other supplies, or might provide funding to pay contractors and road construction workers.
Why India followed Cooperative Federalism
In India Federalism is "an indestructible union of destructible states". It was perceived at the floor of the constituent assembly that states must be integral part of India denying any right to secede. Therefore, a need for strong union was anticipated and the constitution gave dominant power to the central government. However, adequate powers were also relegated to the states in order to administer and govern the local government with much efficacy. Such arrangements have been exhibited in the Union, concurrent and state list of seventh schedule. In order to streamline the development process and enhance the progress of all the regions, cooperation between center and state is utmost necessary. Such form of cooperative federalism is required more so in case of India, due to its vastness, enormity and extreme diversity.
India's cooperative federalism, however has greatly affected by the report of Simon commission and resultant Government of India Act, 1935. Indian constitution has heavily drew its features from this 1935 act. Cabinet mission, which divided India in Group A, B and C; was another prominent factor enabling India to adopt federalism.
How it works in India
The spirit of co-operative federalism in India is observed by following
1. Distribution of Powers,
2. Supremacy of the Constitution,
3. A Written Constitution,
4. Rigidity and
5. Authority of Courts.
Under this arrangement in the Constitution, Center has got dominant power as evident from following:
- States must exercise their executive power in compliance with the laws made by the Central government and must not impede on the executive power of the Union within the States.
- Center can even usurp the legislative discretion of state with the permission of Rajyasabha
- Governors are appointed by the Central government to oversee the States.
- The Center can even take over the executive of the States on the issues of national security or breakdown of constitutional machinery of the State..
Cooperative federalism in India is practiced under following norms:
- Article 263 of the Constitution has provided for the setting up of an Inter-State Council for investigation, discussion and recommendation for better coordination of relation between the Centre and the States.
- The Zonal Councils set up under the State Reorganization Act 1956 provide another institutional mechanism for centre- state and inter-state cooperation to resolve the differences and strengthen the framework of cooperation.
- The National Development Council and the National Integration Council are the two other important forums that provide opportunities for discussion to resolve differences of opinion. Central councils have been set up by various ministries to strengthen cooperation.
Examples in Other countries
Main features of federalism in prominent countries:
United States of America :
- Rigid constitution, its amendment involving center as well as states
- Guarantee to every state in the union a Republican Form of Government with prohibition against states entering into any treaty, alliance or confederation or any agreement or compact with another state or with a foreign power without the consent of Congress
- only one legislative list enumerated the powers of the Union and the residuary subjects are left to states
- Executive authority of the union and that of states in United States runs in parallel streams.
- The United States carries on the principle of dual sovereignty into judicial system also.
Australia:
- Division of powers between the states and union is maintained by special provisions requiring special procedure for amendment, including a referendum of electors of the Australian House of Representatives.
- Australian Constitution has no express prohibition against an individual state entering into a treaty.
- Topics enumerated in the constitution as within legislative competence of parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, some are regarded as exclusive powers of the Commonwealth, while rest are regarded as concurrent powers of the Commonwealth and states.
- Australia does not have a system of dual courts for disputes under Commonwealth legislature and disputes under state legislation respectively.
Canada:
- The powers of the provincesspecifically defined and limited to the list provided, with residuary power with the center; shows center's dominance
- Center can veto the legislation by provinces even made under provincial list
- All of the upper echelons of judiciary is controlled by central government
- Lieutenant-Governor of the state is appointed, paid and removable by the federal government.
Switzerland:
- The government, power and court are on three levels, I.e. Federal, Cantonal and Communal.
- Most taxation (and spending) takes place at the cantons and municipal level.
- Cantons are autonomous and sovereign and within the boundaries set by the Federal Constitution, the Cantons are autonomous in administering their own political and financial affairs.
- The Cantons are competent for any task that is not explicitly allocated to the Confederation by the Federal Constitution
- Cantons have constitutionally enshrined rights to participate in the decision-making process on the Federal State level
Examples of overriding the feature
Although, Indian set up is federal in character, however, its characteristic is unique and federal sui generis. The examples of overriding feature of federalism in Indian constitution are follows:
- Residual powers to center
- Excessive central character, as depicted by article 249, appointment of governors, hierarchical judiciary, various types of emergency and article 3
- Limited taxation powers to states
- Limited participation in the constitutional amendment process of states
- Unbridled powers of governors, who is arbitrarily appointed by the center.
- Indian union is "an indestructible union of destructible states"; this probably is the most overriding feature of federalism, prohibiting any sort of autonomy.
The way forward
Indian federalism is unique in its own sense; however, there are definitely some remedies to be done in order to streamline the efficacy of cooperative federalism in India. Some such remedies and related rectification can be highlighted by following points:
- Articles 3 & 4 in their present form are enabling provisions empowering Parliament to act in an exceptional situation. Such agreement and proposals should be done with broad consensus or negotiated settlement.
- Appointment of governor should be done generously by taking state government in confidence.
- More bodies like National Development Council, National Integration Council, Inter State Council be created to tackle various issues like tax devolution, constitution amendment, grants and so on.
- There have been blemishes in the application of Article 356 earlier. It should be applied with extreme caution and vigilance adhering to the recommendations of Sarkaria Commission, Punchhi Commission and other guidelines of Supreme Court.
- States in India exercise limited sovereignty, and the federal spirit informs the operation of the Constitution. However, off lately, federalism is deepening in India following global practices. Further prudent autonomy can be provided to states
- Greater encouragement for the participation of states in the legislative process is also highly desirable in order to shed the apprehension of regional parties.