Chipping away at federalism

• Federalism is an essential feature of Indian constitution. federalism appear as an antidote to the increasing concentration of power in the hands of a few.

Arguments which compromised the federalism of India:

1. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST)

• Through the 101st Amendment to the Constitution, GST had a centralising effect.
• The GST is monitored by a council where the states have only two-thirds voting rights while the Centre holds the remaining third.
• A decision of the GST Council requires a 75 per cent majority this effectively gives veto power to the Centre.

2. Lack of regular meetings of Inter-State Council:

• Article 263 of Indian constitution talks about the establishment of an inter-state council to effect coordination between the states and between centre and states.
• President can establish such a council to discuss or investigate policies, subjects of common interest, and disputes among states.
• But there is lack of regular meeting of Inter-state council and only once the meeting of ISC is held in last 9 years.

3. Concern over centrally sponsored schemes:

• Scheme such as Swachh Bharat Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana, As the names of most of these schemes suggest, these initiatives are closely associated with the PM’s personality and advertisements publicising these programmes carry his photograph.
• It undermines the state government’s reach and also investment of certain amount of money while implementing them.

4. Lack of consultation before taking major decision:

• Major decision such as 21-day “lockdown” during Covid-19 pandemic was taken without consulting chief ministers. Within a few hours of the PM’s announcement, factories had to shut down, means of transportation were suspended. It created hardship for the migrated workers and administrative hurdles for state government.

5. Politicization of the office of governor:

• Governor is a vital link for the centre and state relation and establish a “living connection” between the states and the Centre But in the past and current duration, the constitutional post is criticised in doing the favour to the party in power

Conclusion:

• Federalism is a significant feature of Indian constitution but should be maintained with letter and spirit.
• The challenges related to centre-states relation need to be resolved in the domain of constitution.
• There is also need of hour to implement the recommendation of Sarkaria and Punchhi commission for further reform in centre-state relation.