Federalism in India

Federalism in India describes the distribution of legal authority across national, state and local governments in the nation of India.

The Constitution of India establishes a federal structure to the Indian government, declaring it to be a "Union of States". Part XI of the Indian constitution specifies the distribution of legislative, administrative and executive powers between the Union/Federal/Central government and the States of India.[1] The legislative powers are categorised under a Union List, a State List and a Concurrent List, representing, respectively, the powers conferred upon the Union government, those conferred upon the State governments and powers shared among them.

This federalism is asymmetric in that the devolved powers of the constituent units are not all the same. The state of Jammu and Kashmir was accorded a higher degree of autonomy than other States under Article 370.[1] Union Territories are unitary type, directly governed by the Union government. Article 1 (1) of the constitution stipulates two tier-governance with an additional local elected government. Delhi and Puducherry were accorded legislatures under Article 239AA and 239A, respectively.[1]

The fundamental rights of citizens vary by state per Article 31 (B), as changes are added to Constitution schedule IX by constitutional amendments.[2]

Legislative powers

The divsion of powers are defined by the constitution and the legislative powers are divided into three lists:[3]

Union List

Union List consists of 100 items (earlier 97) on which the parliament has exclusive power to legislate including: defence, armed forces, arms and ammunition, atomic energy, foreign affairs, war and peace, citizenship, extradition, railways, shipping and navigation, airways, posts and telegraphs, telephones, wireless and broadcasting, currency, foreign trade, inter-state trade and commerce, banking, insurance, control of industries, regulation and development of mines, mineral and oil resources, elections, audit of Government accounts, constitution and organisation of the Supreme Court, High Courts and union public service commission, income tax, custom duties and export duties, duties of excise, corporation tax, taxes on capital value of assets, estate duty and terminal taxes.[4][1]

State List

State List consists of 61 items (earlier 66 items). Uniformity is desirable but not essential on items in this list: maintaining law and order, police forces, healthcare, transport, land policies, electricity in the state, village administration, etc. The state legislature has exclusive power to make laws on these subjects. In certain circumstances, the parliament can make laws on subjects mentioned in the State List, but to do so the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) must pass a resolution with a two-thirds majority that it is expedient to legislate in the national interest.[1]

Though states have exclusive powers to legislate with regards to items on the State List, articles 249, 250, 252, and 253 mention situations in which the Union government can legislate.[4]

Concurrent List

Concurrent List consists of 52 (earlier 47) items. Uniformity is desirable but not essential on items in this list. The list mentions: marriage and divorce, transfer of property other than agricultural land, education, contracts, bankruptcy and insolvency, trustees and trusts, civil procedure, contempt of court, adulteration of foodstuffs, drugs and poisons, economic and social planning, trade unions, labour welfare, electricity, newspapers, books and printing press NS stamp duties.[4][1]

Other (residuary) subjects

Subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists are known as residuary subjects. However, many provisions in the constitution outside these lists permit parliament or state legislative assembly to legislate. Excluding the provisions of the constitution outside these lists per Article 245, the power to legislate on such subjects, rests with the parliament exclusively per Article 248.[5] Parliament shall legislate on residuary subjects following the Article 368 procedure as constitutional amendments.

In case the above lists are to be expanded or amended, the legislation should be done by the Parliament under its constituent power per Article 368 with ratification by the majority of the states. Federalism is part of the basic structure of the Indian constitution which cannot be altered or destroyed through constitutional amendments under the constituent powers of the Parliament without undergoing judicial review by the Supreme Court.

Executive powers

The Union and States have independent executive staffs controlled by their respective governments. In legislative and administrative matters, the Central government cannot overrule the constitutional rights/powers of a state government except when presidential rule is declared in a State. The Union's duty is to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution as per Article 355 and Article 256. The State governments cannot violate the Central laws in administrative matters. When a State violates the Constitution, Presidential rule is imposed under Article 356 and the President takes over the State’s administration with ex post facto consent of the Parliament per Article 357.

Financial powers

Article 282 accords financial autonomy in spending financial resources available to the states for public purpose.[1][6] Article 293 allows States to borrow without limit without consent from the Union government. However, the Union government can insist upon compliance with its loan terms when a state has outstanding loans charged to the consolidated fund of India or a federally-guaranteed loan.[7]

The President of India constitutes a Finance Commission every five years to recommend devolution of Union revenues to State governments.

Under Article 360, the President can proclaim a financial emergency when the financial stability or credit of the nation or of any part of its territory is threatened. However, no guidelines define "financial emergency" for the country or a state or a union territory or a panchayat or a municipality or a corporation.

Such an emergency must be approved by the Parliament within two months by a simple majority and has never been declared. A state of financial emergency remains in force indefinitely until revoked by the President. The President can reduce the salaries of all government officials, including judges of the supreme court and high courts, in cases of a financial emergency. All money bills passed by the State legislatures are submitted to the President for approval. He can direct the state to observe economy measures.

Disputes

States can make agreements among themselves. When a dispute arises with other states or a Union Territory or the central government, the Supreme Court adjudicates per Article 141. However, Article 262 excludes Supreme Court jurisdiction with respect to adjudication of disputes in the use, distribution or control of interstate river waters.

Under Article 263 the President can establish an interstate council to coordinate/resolve disputes between states and the Union.

Territories

Article 1 (1) says that India is a Union of States as elaborated under Parts V (The Union) and VI (The States) of the Constitution. Article 1 (3) says territories of India constitute states, union territories and other acquired territories. The concept of union territory was established by the Seventh Amendment.[8] References to Territories of India, are applicable to the whole country including union territories. References to only India, are applicable to states, but not to union territories.

Jammu and Kashmir

The state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has a separate set of applicable laws under Article 370 read with Application to Jammu and Kashmir Order, 1954 (Appendix I and II) of the Indian constitution. Only matters related to defence, foreign relations and communications of Jammu and Kashmir are under the jurisdiction of Union government. Laws enacted by the parliament (including amendments to the constitution) applicable to rest of India are not valid in J&K unless ratified by its state assembly.[9] The Government of India can declare a state of emergency in J&K and impose governor's rule in certain conditions. The state has its own constitution other than applicable Indian constitution.[10] Part XII of the J&K state constitution makes provision to amend its constitution with two-thirds majority by the state assembly. Part VI (The states) and Part XIV (Services) of the Indian constitution are not applicable to J&K per Article 152 and Article 308.

Issues

The Government of India Act 1935 aimed to establish India as a Federation of States. It emphasized division of powers, independent and apolitical Governors and Governors-General and introduced provincial autonomy for the first time in India. On 26 January 1950, India adopted a new constitution.

Unitary bias

Article 1 (1) of the constitution says India shall be a union of states and its citizens shall have at least two tiered governance. The people of a Union Territory have every right to opt for statehood. However, the amended (in 1956) Article 3, allows the union government power with prior consent of the President (common head of states and union governments) to (a) form a new state/UT by separating a territory of any state, or by uniting two or more states/UTs or parts of states/UTs, or by uniting any territory to a part of any state/UT; (b) the power to establish new states/UT (which were not previously under India's territory) which were not in existence before.

Appointment and role of governors

Governor appointments are the responsibility of the President, on the advice of the Union Government. Governors are generally not residents of the state.

Should the constitutional machinery in a state break down, Article 356 allows a state of emergency that dissolves the state government and establishes Presidential rule. No emergency at the centre can dissolve the Union government. Misuse of Article 356 was rampant in the decades following its adoption, during the Indira Gandhi era.[11][12][13][14] In 1991 the Supreme court passed a landmark judgement acknowledging misuse of the article and establishing principles for the Union government to follow before a state emergency can be invoked.

The Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories of India are designed as administrators and are appointed by the President on the advice of the Union government. Lieutenant Governors can override local government policies.[15]

Economic federalism

States are at liberty to manage their finances as long as that does not lead to financial emergency as per Article 360. The Government of India is trying to impose uniform taxation throughout India and to take over states' tax collection mechanisms without regard to the impacts on individual states.[16][17] Recently the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional right of states to impose an Entry Tax which is against the principle of a general sales tax (GST).[18]

Control of industries, which was a subject in the concurrent list in the 1935 act, was transferred to the Union List. The Union government in 1952 introduced the freight equalisation policy that damaged many Indian states, including West Bengal, Bihar (including present-day Jharkhand), Madhya Pradesh (including present-day Chhattisgarh) and Orissa. These states lost their competitive advantage of holding mineral resources, as factories could now operate anywhere in India. This was not the case in the pre-independence era when business houses such as the Tatas and the Dalmias set up industries in these states, and most of the engineering industry was located in West Bengal. Following the end of the policy in the early 1990s, these states did not catch up with more industrialised states. In 1996, the Commerce & Industry Minister of West Bengal complained that "the removal of the freight equalisation and licensing policies cannot compensate for the ill that has already been done".[19]

National laws permit a private/public limited company to raise loans internally and externally to its capacity. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 limits state borrowing even when they have not defaulted/faced a financial emergency. The employees' salary and pension expenditure of many state governments exceed their total revenue, without a the President declaring a financial emergency. Article 47 of Directive Principles of the state policy prohibits intoxicating drinks that are injurious to health but is not enforced. Instead many states promote and tax liquor sales.

Political economy

The government is devolving central funds to the states under specific schemes (NREGA, etc.) whose implementation by the states is controversially subject to government approval, which violates Article 282.[6] The controversy arises from the fact that the grants for centrally sponsored schemes and central plan schemes are under the ruling party's control and discretion. In 2017, the ruling party was accused of ignoring states in need or where poor people are concentrated, in order to pursue partisan goals.[20][21] This was described as pork-barrel politics.[22] The party's nomenclature is designed to convey that the central government is the source of these policies.

Government of India Act (1935) vs Constitution of India (1950)

Government of India Act 1935[23]Constitution of India[24]
Defines India as a Federation of StatesDefines India as a Union of States
Princely states could choose to join or stay out of the federation via the Instrument of AccessionStates have no right to secede. The Instrument of Accession only applies for the state of J&K via Article 370.
Princely states could have their own constitutionOnly J&K has its own constitution.
Many states had the right to mint supplementary coins, use state flags, independent civil and criminal codes and maintain state paramilitary forcesWith the exception of J&K, no state can follow a separate criminal code. Only Goa has a different civil code. Paramilitary forces are controlled by Union government only. No state can mint currency.
The Emperor of India and Governor-General of India are apolitical heads of stateThe President of India is an indirectly elected head of state.
Provincial governors are appointed by the Governor-General and apoliticalGovernors are appointed by President on the advice of the Union government.
Governors of provinces need not be residents of the stateGovernors of states need not be residents of the state.
Right to create, modify or dissolve provinces is solely vested in the hands of the Governor-General of IndiaRight to create, modify or dissolve states is solely vested in the hands of the Parliament of India.
Powers are divided into Federal, Concurrent and Provincial listsPowers are divided into Union, Concurrent and State lists
Residuary powers are vested with the Governor-General of IndiaResiduary powers are vested with the Parliament of India.
A provincial emergency is declared by the Governor-General and the Governor alone can make laws for the province during this period. Provincial assembly remains dissolved.State emergency is declared by the President on the advice of the Union government and the Parliament alone has the power to make laws for the state during the period. State assembly remains dissolved.
A central emergency is declared by the Governor-General and he alone can make laws for the federation during this period. Central legislative assembly remains dissolved.There is no concept of central or Union emergency. Parliament should always be functional.
Judicial matters such as clemency petitions shall be decided by the Governor-General on the advice of judicial councilsJudicial matters shall be decided by the President on the advice of the Union government.
Railways and Industries are subject matters in concurrent listRailways and Industries are subject matters in Union List.
Freedom of movement throughout the British Empire and right to own property and settle only in respective provincesFreedom of movement throughout India and right to own property and settle anywhere in India except J&K.
Amendment in the Act is not possible unless made by the Parliament of the United KingdomAmendment of many articles in the constitution can be made by two-thirds of majority in the Parliament. Some articles would need the assent of half of the state legislatures as well.

Comparison with USA and EU

Indian federalism comparison with United States (USA) and European Union (EU)
USAEUIndia
A state can not come out of the UnionIt is a loosely held federation of sovereign countries with monetary union only. A state can leave the union at any timeTerritorial integrity is not part of the basic structure of the constitution. Territory is ceded to Bangladesh under the 9th and 100th constitutional amendment acts.[25][26]
Merging or splitting of a state not allowed except with the consent of the states affected and the CongressMerging or splitting of a country possible with the citizens consent of respective countriesConstitution provides provision for merging with another state or splitting of a state into few states and such powers are vested with the Union government alone under Article 3.
Head of the Union is directly elected by its citizens through popular electoral college. It is a presidential democracyNo head of the Union created.Head of the Union (President of India) is indirectly elected whereas head of the Union government (Prime Minister) is usually a leader of the party with majority or largest party in the House of the People who is not directly elected by the people throughout the country and can be either directly elected by the citizens from a particular Lok Sabha constituency as a member of House of the People or can be indirectly elected as the member of Council of States.
Heads of the States are directly elected by their citizens.Heads of constituent units are directly or indirectly electedHead of the States (Governors) are appointed by the President with the advice of Union government whereas Heads of the State governments (Chief Ministers) are usually leaders of the party with majority or largest party in the State legislative assemblies who are not directly elected by the people throughout the state and can be either directly elected by the citizens from a particular Vidhan Sabha constituency or can be indirectly elected as the member of State legislative councils.
Free movement of labour and goods permitted across the statesThe main purpose of the Union is for the free movement of labour and goods across the statesFree movement of labour and goods permitted across the states per Articles 301 and 303.[27] Interstate Migrant Workmen Act 1979 protects the interests of migrant workmen.
A single currency, single foreign policy and common armed forces under the control of union governmentA single currency, individual foreign policy and individual armed forcesA single currency, single foreign policy and common armed forces under the control of Union government.
Every state has constitutional rights to impose taxes and raise debt.EU body has no power to raise taxes and works as a common central bank of all countries except for the United KingdomEvery state has constitutional rights to impose certain taxes and raise debt. Part of Union government revenue is devolved to the states for public purposes.
Predominantly, people speak one language and follow one religion under a secular constitutionMultilingual people with predominantly following one religion under secular constitutionsMultilingual people following multiple religions under a secular constitution.
Highly developed democratic countryHighly developed democratic countriesDeveloping and largest democratic country with one sixth of the world population.
Highly efficient executive and dedicated lawmakers.Highly efficient executive and dedicated lawmakers.The effectiveness of executive and lawmakers hampered by inefficient functioning and corruption. Uneasy relationship of the executive with judiciary with attempts to bring latter under its control. Instances of attempts by Central Government to try to topple opposition-ruled states by unconstitutional means.[28][29][30]
Natur of Indian union and the position of stateHigh standard and prompt justice delivery set up.Substandard and delayed justice delivery set up in a constitutional democracy.[31][32][33] Judges of Supreme Court or High Courts do not give any reasons for not taking up a case for proceedings and many important cases which needs constitutional interpretation keep on pending for many years under the pressure of executive.[34] Highest Judiciary does not take any responsibility morally and sometimes issue name sake written apologies in their judgements.[35]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Constitution of India". Lawmin.nic.in. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  2. ↑ "IX Schedule laws open to review". 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  3. ↑ Robert L. Hardgrave and Stanley A. Koachanek (2008). India: Government and politics in a developing nation (Seventh ed.). Thomson Wadsworth. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-495-00749-4.
  4. 1 2 3 Babulal Fadia (1984). State politics in India Volume I. Radiant publishers, New Delhi. pp. 92–122.
  5. ↑ "Pages 311 & 312 of A. K. Roy, Etc vs Union Of India And Anr on 28 December, 1981". Indiankanoon.org. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Supreme Court Judgement: Bhim Singh vs U.O.I & Ors on 6 May, 2010". Indiankanoon.org. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "Article 293 and its application" (PDF). Fincomindia.nic.in. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "The Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956". Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  9. ↑ "Central acts applicable to J&K state" (PDF). Jklaw.nic.in. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Constitution of J&K state" (PDF). Jklegislativeassembly.nic.in. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  11. ↑ Singh, Prabhat (11 February 2015). "Has Article 356 been the Centre's AK-56?". Livemint.com. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  12. ↑ "Fact-Check on the Use and Abuse of President's Rule in India". Thequint.com. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  13. ↑ Hegde, Sanjay. "The Judiciary Can Stop the Misuse of Article 356, If It Chooses to Act - The Wire". Thewire.in. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  14. ↑ "Article 356: Its Use and Misuse". Jagranjosh.com. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  15. ↑ "Supreme Court refuses to stay order declaring L-G Jung Delhi's boss". Hindustantimes.com. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  16. ↑ "Gujarat opposes GST regime". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "There is merit in Jayalalithaa's arguments against GST bill says Subramanian Swamy". Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  18. ↑ "Supreme Court rules states have right to levy entry tax on goods coming in". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  19. ↑ Aseema Sinha (2005). The Regional Roots Of Developmental Politics In India: A Divided Leviathan. Indiana University Press. pp. 114–. ISBN 978-0-253-34404-5. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  20. ↑ Sharma, Chanchal Kumar (2 February 2017). "A Situational Theory of Pork-Barrel Politics: The Shifting Logic of Discretionary Allocations in India". GIGA Hamburg.
  21. ↑ Sharma, Chanchal Kumar (10 March 2017). "A situational theory of pork-barrel politics". India Review. 16: 14–41.
  22. ↑ Sharma, Chanchal Kumar (26 April 2017). "Who Gets the Most and Why? New Lessons in Pork Barrel Politics from India". BW|Business World. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  23. ↑ Government Of India (18 October 2017). "The Government Of India Act 1935". Internet Archive. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  24. ↑ "THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA" (PDF). Lawmin.nic.in. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  25. ↑ "Prez assents: Constitution (One Hundredth Amendment) Act, 2015". 1, Law Street. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  26. ↑ "The constitution (ninth amendment) act, 1960". Indiacode.nic.in. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  27. ↑ "Freedom of Trade, Commerce and Intercourse in India". Desikanoon.co.in. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  28. ↑ "India ranks 76 in Corruption Perception Index". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  29. ↑ "National Commission to Review the Working of the Article 356 of the constitution". Lawmin.nic.in. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  30. ↑ "SC declares NJAC unconstitutional, upholds Collegium". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  31. ↑ Shailesh Gandhi, Ex Central Information Commissioner. "Don't need 70,000 judges. Just fill vacancies to cut backlog". Blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  32. ↑ "Rule of law index, 2016". Data.worldjusticeproject.org. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  33. ↑ "Government biggest litigant need to lessen load on judiciary, PM Modi". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  34. ↑ "What causes judicial delay? Judgements diluting time frames in Code of Civil Procedure worsen the problem of adjournments". Blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  35. ↑ "Supreme Court judgement on "The Punjab termination of agreement Act, 2004 (last page)" (PDF). Supremecourtofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
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