Indian Federalism under Stress

International Journal of Political Science and Governance , 2022

This paper tries to examine a deep overview of the working of Indian federalism in general and to the contemporary era in particular. This includes all those issues that have often been presented in recent times. Large numbers of debate and discussion therefore widely taking place around the federalist part whether the federal government that the country has adapted is in form of suit or ultra verse. On the other side, important significance also set forth on the norms of constitution and principal objectives of federalism. Hence, in federalism; both the centre and states is an equal partner and equal par excellence. They also guaranteed to believe in the assumption of 'self-rule' with 'share-rule'. But, several controversy and dichotomy have originated due to the uncertain nature as per in our practice that frequently challenged the federal working system of India. In short, a recent trend has occupies some of its significant stances to look upon the prime concern of federalism. However, such kind of discourses has been raised over more than seven decades. It is also a kind of attempt of the federal form. Critiques have also mentioned about various strengths and weaknesses of this system. Besides, it incorporated some definite trends that have come in our way to disturb the balance of power and cooperative character of Indian federalism. For instance, more recently, the political development around the citizen Amendment Act, 2019 and other related issues have generated a lot of debates in the understanding of federalism. In addition to this, there is some tension between the Union & the state on the implementation issue of NRC-CAA. The opposing state like Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal addresses that Indian federalism becoming more competitive than cooperative over time to time. Contrary to this, Interstate River disputes, increasing demand for the new state, Covid-19 and its impact on Indian federalism etc. have broadened, to sum up centre-state relations. To the finding, this paper offers different recommendations or possible suggestions for underpinning India's federal arrangement. Now, time has come for India and its Indians to take a fresh look in reviewing the federal ideas for restoring the federal irritants in order to maintain a sense of balance between centre-state and inter-states relations in India.

The article examines the recent trends and issues in Indian federalism. The federal system has become transformedy in the last seven decades-from being dismissed as a full-fledged federal system to a widely acclaimed federal system in the world. Simply put, Indian federalism has become more meaningful and functional post-liberalisation. The article has examined this turnaround. From a subordinate position till the late 1980s, states rose to occupy a strategic position in India's move from a command economy to a market economy. No wonder, therefore, the Centre became more interested in involving states in even forbidden area such as foreign policy matters. Divisive politics in several states today is being replaced by developmental politics. States are not only competing but also learning from each other. States are being seen by the Centre as drivers of India's growth.

This article describes the features of India's federal system and process, and seeks to explain their effectiveness in terms of their symbiosis with the projects of nation-building and state-formation in India. This is done through a presentation of the basic structure of federalism in India and its political constraints. Federalism, along with parliamentarism, is axial principle of Government in India. Indian federalism is not a static entity. It has been evolving over the years form a predominantly parliamentary system. The flexibility of the federal process has made it possible for the state in India to accommodate ethno national movements in the form of new regions, thus gradually increasing both the number of states and the governability of the union.In this article we examine federal Process in India,structure,asymmetric federalism, andthe interaction between globalization and India's federal system, in the context of the country's past decade of economic reform.

Book, 2017

This book is about multi-level governance. That implies that federalism is not just two tier system but a three tier system. Therefore the book contends that the studies on federalism should include the third tier of local government and local government and decentralisation studies should conduct their studies within the ambit of federal government institutions and relations and processes. Besides this the book is also written with the conviction that within Indian polity and its contemporary political economy the State governments can do enormously more to further the cause of local government than the distant Union government can. Three reasons attest to this: a) The constitution privileges the State governments to carry out decentralization further to the local people b) In the present scenario of liberalized market economy it is the States which are locus of economic growth and development c) many observers of Indian polity too confirm that there is a shift towards the States and regions in determining even national electoral fortunes. While the above reasons strengthen federalism these three reasons are also sufficient to reconsider the relationship between federalism and local government in today’s India. Does the constitutional sanction, more economic freedom and more recognition of states role within the Union-do these lead to making the lives of ordinary people better at the ground level? Does federalism mean more powers functions and resources to local governments too? These are some of the questions this book attempts to address.

India Review, 2017

2017

In recent days, the process of federalization within the Indian Union has become more debatable due to the unequal federal development at various levels. In this context, the issues of state formation in India have become very crucial within the domain of the Indian federal structure. In the 1950s, the nature of demands for a new state was based on the ‘identity’ aspect under federal governance; but at present, the focus has shifted to ‘regional development,’ particularly to the aspects of socio-cultural, economic and political opportunities. The main objective of adopting the federal structure in Indian polity was to promote cultural homogeneity and improved federal governance in all the Indian states. However, the unequal development between the states and lack of socio-economic and political opportunities in society has challenged federalism in India. This situation has opened the door for the emergence of many regional parties, volunteer groups and civil society organiza...

The Indian Journal of Political Science, 2024

India is considered as the largest democracy in the world. Federalism in India is an institutional mechanism to accommodate two sets of politics, one at the centre or national level and another at regional or state level. The Constitution of India has clearly divided power and subjects between states and union by making three different lists, which are union list, state list and concurrent list. Federalism in India after seven decades of independence is witnessing significant changes in all walks of life and faces a new set of challenges. This paper is an attempt to shed some light on recent disputes between union and state government and try to address these issues from sociological perspectives. As these issues are political in nature but their causes are deeply rooted in our social structure.

Special Issue of the monthly magazine Yojana, February 2015, on Indian Federalism

The Journal of Asian Studies, 2004

INDIAN JOURNAL OF LAW AND JUSTICE, 2023

The contentious issue of the present discourse is whether India’s cooperative federalism exists or lost its distinctiveness. The main task of this research paper is to examine how politics has endangered the core tenets of Indian federalism thereby pushing the nation into a totalitarian or majoritarian state. The massive abuse of the authorities, and institutions and repeated dents to fiscal federalism are the areas of concern. The tribulation journey of Indian federalism from cooperative to confrontationist poses serious questions about the future of Indian federalism and what would be the future of many territories, states, and centrally administered regions in India if this confrontationist approach continues.