Geographical basis of Indian federalism

Federalism is a form of government that involves the division of powers between the central government and its constituent units. India is a federal country with a unique system of governance. The Indian Constitution provides for a federal system of government that shares power between the Union government and the states. The geographical basis of Indian federalism can be traced back to its history, which has shaped the country’s political and administrative structure.

History of Indian Federalism

The history of Indian federalism can be traced back to the colonial period when India was under British rule. The British introduced a system of indirect rule in India, which involved the delegation of power to local rulers and princes. The British also established a federal structure in India, dividing the country into provinces, princely states, and centrally administered territories. The provinces were directly ruled by the British, while the princely states were governed by local rulers under the British paramountcy.

After India gained independence in 1947, the country adopted a federal system of government. The Constitution of India was drafted, which provided for a federal structure with a division of powers between the central government and the states. The Constitution defines the powers of the Union and the states and provides for a system of checks and balances to ensure a balance of power between the two.

Types of Indian Federalism

India’s federalism is unique, and it is often referred to as quasi-federalism or cooperative federalism. The Indian Constitution provides for a division of powers between the Union government and the states, but the powers of the Union government are more extensive than those of the states. The Constitution provides for three types of federalism in India: Legislative federalism, Executive federalism, and Financial federalism.

• Legislative federalism: Legislative federalism refers to the division of powers between the central government and the states with respect to lawmaking. The Constitution provides for a list of subjects that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union government, a list of subjects that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the state governments, and a list of subjects that are shared by both. The Union government has the power to make laws on subjects such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency, while the state governments have the power to make laws on subjects such as education, health, and public order.
• Executive federalism: Executive federalism refers to the division of powers between the central government and the states with respect to the administration of laws. The Constitution provides for a system of checks and balances to ensure that the Union and state governments work together to administer the laws. The Union government has the power to appoint governors in the states, while the state governments have the power to appoint their chief ministers.
• Financial federalism: Financial federalism refers to the division of resources between the central government and the states. The Constitution provides for a system of revenue sharing between the Union and the states. The Union government collects revenue from taxes such as income tax and excise duty, while the states collect revenue from taxes such as sales tax and stamp duty. The Union government provides grants to the states to ensure that they have the necessary resources to carry out their functions.

Examples of Indian Federalism

India’s federal system of government has been successful in ensuring a balance of power between the Union and the states. The Indian Constitution provides for a system of checks and balances to ensure that both the Union and the states work together to administer the laws. Some examples of Indian federalism are:

• Goods and Services Tax (GST): The GST is a tax system that was introduced in India in 2017. The GST is a single tax that is levied on the supply of goods and services, and it replaced multiple indirect taxes levied by the Union and state governments. The introduction of the GST required cooperation between the Union and state governments, and it was a significant step towards promoting cooperative federalism in India.
• The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA): The NREGA is a social welfare scheme that was introduced in 2005. The scheme provides for a guarantee of 100 days of employment per year to rural households. The NREGA is implemented by the state governments, and the funds for the scheme are provided by the Union government. The scheme is an example of financial federalism, where the Union government provides funds to the states to carry out a social welfare scheme.
• Centre-state relations during the COVID-19 pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic required cooperation between the Union and state governments in India. The Union government provided financial assistance and resources to the states to manage the pandemic. The pandemic highlighted the need for cooperative federalism, and the Union and state governments worked together to manage the crisis.

Issues with Indian Federalism While Indian federalism has been successful in ensuring a balance of power between the Union and state governments, there are also some issues associated with it. Some of the issues are:

• Centre-state conflicts: Centre-state conflicts are a common feature of Indian federalism. The Union and state governments often have conflicting interests, which lead to disputes between them. The disputes can be related to a variety of issues, such as the allocation of resources, the implementation of policies, or the division of powers.
• Unequal distribution of resources: The unequal distribution of resources is another issue associated with Indian federalism. The states have varying levels of economic development, and some states are better equipped to manage their resources than others. The uneven distribution of resources can lead to disparities in the provision of public goods and services.
• Political interference: Political interference is another issue associated with Indian federalism. The state governments are often influenced by political considerations, which can lead to the implementation of policies that do not benefit the people. The political interference can also lead to corruption and the misuse of public funds.