Federalism........ Part II

Q 6. Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.

• Similar Feature : Like in Belgian federalism, in Indian federalism also constitutional powers are given to the regional and local governments.
• Different Feature: Unlike Belgian federalism, in Indian federalism regional and local government  are dependent on the central government for finance and other matters of national importance.

Q 7.Give a comparative analysis between Belgian and Sri Lankan form of Power Sharing.

• Belgium and Sri Lanka both shared more or less the same historical background of complex ethnic composition.
• After getting independence Belgium shifted from a unitary to federal form of government under the great constitutional change in 1993.
• Whereas, Sri Lanka  followed“a unitary system” where all the powers are with the National Government.

Q 8.“Independence of Judiciary is the key to success of federalism.” Examine the statement.

Independence of Judiciary is very much required in the federal system of government because:-

• Judiciary acts as an umpire if disputes arise between different levels of government in the exercise of their respective powers.
• Judiciary also interprets the Constitution and the powers of different levels of government.
• Hence, judiciary is the key to the success of federalism.

Q 9. What is the basic nature of Indian federal system?

Or

“Indian federal system is a quasi-federal”. Examine the statement.

The power sharing arrangements in our country is  based on the quasi federal nature of federation. 

The Indian constitution provided a “three fold distribution” of legislative powers between the union government and the state government known as ‘Three List System’ such as:-

Union list

• Union list contains 97 subjects of national importance.
• The union legislature legislates the subjects of union list such as:-
• Defense, foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency etc

State list

• State list contains 66 subjects of local importance’.
• The state legislature assembly legislates on the subjects of state legislature such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation.

Concurrent List

• Concurrent List contains 47 subjects which are important for both the union and state government.
• On the concurrent list subject both union and the state legislature can legislate but in the case of conflict only union law prevails.
• Subjects like, education, forests, trade unions, marriages, adoption and succession are the examples of concurrent list.

Q 10. What do you understand by the three tiers system of Indian federation?

• Three-Tier system means three levels of government. 
• The Indian Constitution originally provided for a two-tier system of government. 
• The union government or the central government and
• the state government.
• But, later a third-tier of federalism was added in the form of Panchayats [Rural level] and Municipalities [Urban level]. 
• Every level enjoys separate jurisdiction.

Q 11. In what ways has the local Government deepened our democracy?

• Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country. 
• It has increased women’s representation and voice in our democracy.
• The new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world.
• Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBC.
• All these features strengthen the very aspect of our democracy.

Q 12. Examine the Holding Together nature of Indian Federalism.

• Indian federalism is formed by “Holding Together” nature of federalism. 
• It does not give equal Powers to its constituent units.
• States have not been given identical powers with union government.
• Few states have been given special Status—like Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern States in order to protect and preserve their customrv, traditions, cultural and linguistic diversity.
• Apart from these some territories of the Indian union like Chandigarh, Lakshadweep or the capital city of Delhi.
• These territories are administered by the union government hence known as ‘Union Territories’.