Federalism

Question 1

Reason for success for Federalism OR

How is federalism practiced in India

Answer 1

[Meenakshi ma’am’s answer] 4 points

1. Linguistic states - States created on the basis of language, culture, ethnicity. Made the country united, administration easier.
2. Language policy - No national language, besides Hindi, 21 other Scheduled languages in Constitution. States have their own official languages.
3. Center-State relations:
   a) Pre 1990 - Weak federalism, states not autonomous. Central govt. dismissed the state govt. controlled by rival parties.
   b) Post 1990 - Rise of regional parties in many states beginning of coalition govt. at the center. So new culture of power sharing on respect for state autonomy

Question 2

Differentiate between federal and unitary governments.

Answer 2

Federal:
(i) Nature:
Under the federal system there are two levels of government, one at the central level and the other at the state level. Both levels have their areas of jurisdiction.
(ii) Function:
(a) In federal system a state government has powers of its own for which it is not answerable to the central government.
(b) Central government cannot order the state government to do something.
(iii) Scope and significance:
In most federations, there is dual citizenship one of the country and on of state. For example, USA, but this does not exist in India.

Unitary:
(i) Nature:
But in Unitary form of government either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinates to the central government.
(ii) Function:
(a) On the other hand in Unitary system the state government does not have powers of its own.
(b) The central government can pass on orders to the local government.
(iii) Scope and significance:
Unlike a federal system, Unitary system has a single citizenship.

Question 3

Define federalism.

Answer 3

Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country.

Question 4

Describe the main features of federalism.

Answer 4

The main features of federalism are

a. There are two or more levels of government.
b. Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own JURISDICTION in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
c. The jurisdiction of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in the constitution.
d. The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of government.
e. Courts have to power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of government.
f. Sources of revenue for each level government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy.

Question 5

What are the two objectives of federalism?

Answer 5

The federal system thus has dual

objectives:
1. to safeguard and promote unity of the country
2. while at the same time accommodate regional diversity.

Question 6

There are two kinds of routes through which federations have been formed.
Elaborate the statement.
(5)
(OR)
The exact balance of power between the centre and the state government varies
from one federation to another. Explain with two examples.
(5)

Answer 6

There are two kinds of routes through which federations have been formed.

1. The first route involves independent States coming together on their own to form
   a bigger unit, so that by pooling sovereignity and retaining identity they can
   increase their security. This type of ‘coming together’ federations include the
   USA, Switzerland and Australia.
2. In this first category of federations, all the constituent States usually have equal
   power and are strong vis-à-vis the federal government.
3. The second route is where a large country decides to divide its power between
   the constituent States and the national government. India, Spain and Belgium are
   examples of this kind of ‘holding together’ federations.
4. In this second category, the central government tends to be more powerful visà-vis the States.
5. Very often different constituent units of the federation have unequal powers.
   Some units are granted special powers.

Question 7

Describe the three-fold division of legislative powers between the Union and the state governments.
(CBSE 2020)(3)
OR
Most federations that are formed by holding together do not give equal power to its constituent units. Explain by giving examples.
(3)
OR
The sharing of power between the Union government and the State governments is basic to the structure of the Indian Constitution. Explain.
(3)
OR
What makes India a federal country?

Answer 7

The powers of government have been divided into three lists:
1. Union List includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency. The Union Government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the
Union List.
2. State List contains subjects of State and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation. The State Governments alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the State List.
3. Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both the Union Government as well as the State Governments, such as education, forest, trade
unions, marriage, adoption and succession. Both the Union as well as the State Governments can make laws on the subjects. If their laws conflict with each
other, the law made by the Union Government will prevail. Residuary powers lie with the Centre. In such cases, only Parliament has the power to make laws on these subjects.

Question 8

Explain how the creation of linguistic states has improved federalism in India.

Answer 8

1. In 1947, the boundaries of several old States of India were changed in order to create new States. This was
   done to ensure that people who spoke the same language lived in the same State.
2. Some States were created not on the basis of language but to recognise differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography. These include States like Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand.
3. The formation of linguistic States has actually made the country, more united. It has also made administration easier.

Question 9

What is the language policy of India?

Answer 9

1. Our Constitution did not give the status of national
   language to any one language. Hindi was identified as the official language.
2. Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognised as Scheduled Languages by the
   Constitution.
3. States too have their own official languages. Much of the government work takes place in the official language of the concerned State.

Question 10

Examine the controversy over Hindi and English as the official languages in India.
OR
‘Promotion of Hindi continues to be the official policy of government of India.’ Elucidate.(5)

Answer 10

• According to the constitution, the use of English for official purposes was to stop in 1965.
• However , many non-Hindi speaking states demanded that the use of English continue.In Tamil Nadu the movement took a violent form.
• The Central Government responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes.
• Many critics think that this solution favoured the English speaking elite.
• Promotion does not mean that the Central Government can impose Hindi on state where people speak a different Language. The flexibility shown
by Indian political leaders helped our country avoid the kind of situation that Sri Lanka finds itself in.

Question 11

Critically analyse the centre-state relations prior to 1990 and after. (HOTS)
OR
Describe how the centre-state relations have strengthened the spirit of federalism in India.
OR
Restructuring the Centre state relations is an important way in which Indian federalism has been strengthened in practice. Explain. (5)

Answer 11

Pre 1990:
1. Restructuring the Centre-State relations is one more way in which federalism has been strengthened in practice.
2. For a long time, the same party ruled both at the Centre and in most of the States. This meant that the State governments did not exercise their rights as
autonomous federal units.
3. The Central Government would often misuse the Constitution to dismiss the State governments that were controlled by rival parties.

Post 1990:
1. This period saw the rise of regional political parties in many States of the country. This was also
the beginning of the era of COALITION GOVERNMENTS at the Centre.
2. Since no single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the major national parties had to enter
into an alliance with many parties including several regional parties to form a government at the Centre.
3. This led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of State Governments

Question 12

What are scheduled and non-scheduled languages?

Answer 12

Census found 121 major languages. Of these 22 languages are now included in the Eighth Schedule of
the Indian Constitution and are therefore called ‘Scheduled Languages’. Others are called
‘non-Scheduled Languages’.

Question 13

When was the State reorganization Commision (SRC) implemented?

Answer 13

November 1, 1956

Question 14

What is decentralisation? Explain the significance of decentralisation

Answer 14

1. When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to local government, it is called decentralisation.
2. The basic idea behind decentralisation is that there are a large number of problems and issues which are best settled at the local level.
3. People have better knowledge of problems in their localities. They also have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage things more efficiently.
4. Besides, at the local level it is possible for the people to directly participate in decision making.
5. This helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation. Local government is the best way to realise one important principle of democracy, namely local self-government.

Question 15

What changes were made in 1992 to make decentralization more effective in India? (3)
OR
Describe any three provisions of amendment made in ‘Indian Constitution’ in 1992 for making ‘Three-Tier’ government more effective and powerful.
(CBSE 2018)(3)

Answer 15

1. Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
2. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
3. At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
4. An independent institution Election Commission has been created in each State to conduct called the State panchayat and municipal elections.
5. The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from State to State.

Question 16

Describe the achievements of the new system of local governments. Also mention the problems that are being faced by these bodies.
(5)
OR
We are still a long way from realizing the ideal of self-government. Justify the statement. (HOTS)

Answer 16

a. Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country.
b. It has also increased women’s representation and
voice in our democracy.
c. While elections are held regularly and enthusiastically, gram sabhas are not held regularly.
d. Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to the local governments.
e. They are also not given adequate resources

Question 17

States in India often ask for more autonomy or more power. Should they be given more power or
not? Support your answer with two arguments.

Answer 17

(1) Indian Constitution divides the power of governance between Union and State which is more or less based on federal structure of the government. This division of power is more inclined towards union government seeing the tradition of the Indian political history.

(2) The demand for more autonomy is one of the most controversial issues of the Indian federalism,
although federalism is an important feature of the constitutional structure of the Indian democracy.
States should be given more power or more autonomy for the following reasons :
(i) The centre is strong in Indian political system. The centre has been given monopoly on almost all the
subjects except for few, on which states have reserved say due to some local importance.
(ii) The centre has, yet, power to give directions to the states in certain matters. The states have to
depend upon the centre for financial assistance.
(iii) Misuse of central government’s control over state and misuse and ineffectiveness of the office of
Governor.
(iv) Unbalanced growth of different states is due to some policy defects. Provisions can be introduced to
effective planning of states and centre through a non-political, independent buddy

Question 18

Mention any three features of ‘Three tier rural government’.

Answer 18

a. There are three tier local self government:
(1) Gram Panchayat: Each village, or a group of villages in some states, has a gram panchayat.
(2) Panchayat Samiti: A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form what is usually called a Panchayati Samiti or block or mandal.
(3) Zilla Parishad: All the panchayat samitis or mandals in a district together constitute the Zilla Parishad.

b. It is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elctions to local government bodies.

c. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the SC,STs and OBCs. At least one third of all positions are
reserved for women.

d. An independent institution call the State Election Commission has been

created in each state to conduct Panchayat and Muncipal elections.

Question 19

State difference between the local government before and after the constitutional amendment in 1992.

Answer 19

Before 1992:

(1) There were panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas but these were directly under the control of the state governments. They did not enjoy independent status.
(2) Elections to local bodies were not held regularly.
(3) These bodies did not have financial resources. They were dependent on states or central government which used to grant them financial aids.
(4) There was no reservation for SC/ST/ OBGs.
(5) There was no reservation for women.
(6) There was no independent state commission to conduct elections.

After 1992:

(1) The state governments are required to share some powers with the local government bodies. Now local bodies got constitutional status.
(2) It is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. If the state govt, dissolves the panchayat before the end of its five year term, fresh elections must be held within six months of such dissolution.
(3) The state governments are required to share some powers with local government bodies.
(4) Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
(5) One-third of all positions are reserved for women.
(6) An independent State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections

Question 20

Explain any five features of Panchayati Raj system in India. [CBSE 2016-17]
Or

Differentiate between Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat. [CBSE 2016-17]
Or
How is rural local government known in India ? What are its different institutions ?

Answer 20

(1) Rural local government is popularly known by the name panchayati raj.
(2) Its different institutions are as mentioned below :

Panchayat:

• There is a panchayat in each village or group of villages.
• It is a council which has several ward members - (panch) and a president (sarpanch).
• They are directly elected by all the adult population living in that ward or village.
• Panchayat is a decision-making body for the entire village.
• It works under the overall supervision of gram sabha.
• Gram Sabha consists of all the voters and meets twice or thrice in a year to approve the anffual budget of the gram panchayat and to review its performance.

Panchayat samiti or block or mandal: A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form a panchayat samiti or block or mandal. The members of this body are elected by all the members of the panchayats in that area.

Zilla Parishad : All the panchayat samities or mandals in a district constitute Zilla Parishad, whose members 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.