Issues and Challenges with Indian Federalism [Others]
We have so far discussed regionalism, diversity, division of powers and asymmetries of Indian constitution. Here are some of the other issues and challenges summarized for quick overview.
Centralised Planning
Although economic and social planning is found in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, the Union Government enjoys unbridled authority over national and regional planning in India. Centralised planning, through the Planning Commission, now NITI Aayog appointed by the Centre, considerable preponderance in legislative power for the Union, the financial dependency of the states on the Centre’s mercy, the administrative inferiority of the states make the states meek and weak. The States only fill the blank spaces meant for in the text for planning. There is no special planning commission for the states in India. It also adds to misery of states and pose smooth functioning of federal spirit across the country.
Language Conflicts
Diversity in languages in India sometimes causes a blow the federal sprit of the Constitution. There are 22 languages constitutionally approved in India. Besides, there hundreds of dialects are spoken across the country. Trouble arises when the strongest unit of the federation attempts to force a particular language on others. The tussle for official language in India is still a burning issue. The southern states’ opposition to Hindi as the official language of India has led to deep-seated language crisis in India. It throws dirt on the federal character of the Union of India.
Issue of Religion
India is a fine example of religious heterogeneity that sometimes gives rise to turmoil to weaken the federation. But the religious process need not be always divisive. So long as there is a reasonable tolerance on the part of the people and a genuine secular policy on the part of the government, religion may not cause imbalances in a federation.
Relative Economic and Fiscal Incompatibilities among the Units
Differences economic standards and relative economic and fiscal incompatibilities among the constituent states also pose a threat to a federation. The forces of imbalances in the field are demands for economic planning and development and for regional economic equality and financial autonomy of states. Demand for a financial equality of a region creates problems in a federation.
In India some states are declared as poor and on the principle of equalization, are getting grants-in-aid. But the dilemma in a federation emerges that if the principle of equalization is adhered to, the national income and the total income growth will suffer. Again, if much attention is paid to economic development, equalization of all units cannot be attained.
Physical Environment
Physical environment may also create hurdles for a federation by affecting communication. A federation in which the lines of communication are long and difficult has to face the difficulty of keeping in touch with all the units. It is easy for creating misunderstanding and conflict and perhaps this was one of the important causes for the separation of the east wing from Pakistan. Moreover, in the absence of good communication, the poorer units tend to develop a complex of neglect and feel that they are receiving less than their fair share of resources for development. In India, the North- Eastern states are having similar feelings and creating problems for the federation.
External Forces
External forces also create hindrances for a federation. The tension in North Eastern States in India is due to interference of neighbouring countries. China’s claim on some portion of the territory of Arunachal Pradesh on LAC threats the territorial integrity of India. The Tamil issue in Sri Lanka creates disruptive forces in India. The alleged Pak hand in Khalistan movement in the past also has a say in weakening the Indian federation.
Challenges from Globalisation
Globalisation provides challenges as well as opportunities to federal systems such as India’s. Federalism faces difficult challenges in the era of globalisation, since the latter has created pressures for reforms in economic and political organisation.
Due to liberalisation of economy in the wake of globalisation, the states also desire economic development by allowing foreign direct investment and SEZ model of economic havens within their territories. It has given rise to multiple readjustments and structural changes in the economy of India.
Market-driven economy has largely redefined the erstwhile centre-state relations especially in economic spheres. Gradual deregulation of the Indian economy, has given rise to competition between the Indian states to secure investment, especially from foreign sources. It has had an adverse impact in accentuating regional imbalances, increasing the gap between have and have-not states.
On one hand forward and developed states enhance their pace of economic development through FDIs, on the other the backward states remain underdeveloped due lack of feasible socio-political economic environment. The latter needs assistance and cooperation in this regard by the Union Government. It will promote cooperative federalism in India.
Also at the grassroot level the relationship between the state and panchayats is passing through changes due to all-penetrating effect of globalisation. There is a need for more decentralisation at each level for federalism to thrive. Globalisation has resulted in emergence of new concepts like ‘New localism, people’s empowerment etc.
Globalisation has made both the centre and states active partners in establishing political stability and peace and harmony. The use of Article 356 has been drastically reduced since the onset of liberalisation in 1990.
Conclusion
In fine, federalism or federal form of government is the most suitable form for a vast and pluralistic country like India. It tries to facilitate the socio-political cooperation between two sets of identities through various structural mechanisms of ‘shared rule’. However, the because of above factors centre-state relations and the state autonomy have become the cardinal issues of the Indian federalism. The Sarkaria Commission in 1983 appointed by the Government of India to examine and review the working of the Indian Federalism, did not make any useful recommendations for structuring the Indian federalism in a proper manner. This reveals the fact that even though our constitution is said to be a federal, but this overemphasis on the power of the federal government makes unable to dealeffectively with socioeconomic challenges and strengthening national unity. There is need for restructuring Indian Federalism to make it more viable and resilient in paving the way for promoting effective centre-state relation and perpetuating a federal tradition across the country.
