Federalism

Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks

1. Why is decentralisation favoured in democracy? Identify any two reasons.
A. Five advantages of decentralisation of power:
When power is taken away from Central and State Governments and given to local
governments, it is called decentralisation. The basic idea behind decentralisation is
that there are a large number of problems and issues which are best settled at the
local level. 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.
Besides, at the local level, it is possible for the people to directly participate in decision
making. 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.
The need for decentralisation was recognised in our Constitution. A major step
towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make
the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective.

2. India comes under which type of federation and why?

A. India comes under ‘a holding together’ type federation. In this type of federation, a
large country divides its power between the constituent States and the National
government. There is one government for the entire country and the others are
governments at the State level. Both Central and State Governments enjoy their power
independent of the other.
The Central government tends to be more powerful vis-a-vis the states. Often different
constituent units of the federation have unequal powers. For example, special powers
have been granted to Jammu & Kashmir.

3. State two agreements through which federations have been formed. Give an
example of each.
A. (i) ‘Coming together’ federations—This agreement induces independent states
coming together on their own to form a bigger unit, so that by pooling sovereignty and
retaining identity they can increase their security.
Examples are: USA, Switzerland and Australia. All the constituent states have equal
power and are strong vis-a-vis the federal government.
(ii) ‘Holding together’ federations — In this agreement, a large country decides to divide
its power between the constituent States and the national government. The Central
Governments tend to be more powerful vis-a-vis the states. Often different constituent
units of the federation have unequal powers. Some units are granted special powers,
for example, India granted special powers to Jammu & Kashmir.
Other examples are Spain and Belgium.
4. What is Gram Sabha? Mention its functions.
Answer: Every adult of the village who is 18 years of age constitute the Gram Sabha.
(i) It is the decision-making body of the entire village.
(ii) The village Panchayat works under the supervision of the Gram Sabha.
(iii) It approves the annual budget of the Gram Panchayat.

Long Answer Questions (LA)

5.Which five provisions of the constitutional amendment of 1992 really strengthened
the third tier of democracy in India? Explain.
OR
What were the major steps taken to make decentralisation more effective?
A. Major steps towards decentralisation and strengthening of third tier taken in 1992
were:
Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to Local Government
bodies.
Seats are reserved in elected bodies for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other
backward classes (OBCs).
At least one-third of all positions and seats are reserved for women.
An independent institution called the State Election Commission was created to
conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections.
The State Governments are required to share some powers and revenue with Local
Government bodies.

6. Why has federalism succeeded in India? Which are the policies adopted by India
that have ensured it? Explain.
A. Reasons for success of federalism in India are:
Clearly laid out Constitutional Provisions providing a three-fold distribution of powers
in the three lists—Union List, State List and Concurrent List—between the Union
Government and State Governments.
The nature of democratic politics in our country which ensures that the spirit of
federalism, respect for diversity and desire for living together became a shared ideal.
The creation of linguistic states. This was done to ensure that people who spoke the
same language lived in the same state. Later some states were created to recognise
differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography.
For example: Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Telangana, etc.
Restricting Centre-State relations. The constitutional arrangements for sharing power
work depending on how the ruling parties and leaders follow these arrangements.

7. Explain any five features of federalism.

A. Features of federalism:
There are two or more levels of government.
Different levels of government govern the same citizens, where each level has its own
jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
Existence and authority of each level of government is constitutionally governed.
The fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be unilaterally changed. Such
changes require the consent of both the levels of government.
Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution and powers of the different levels
of government. The highest court acts as the umpire if any dispute arises between
different levels of governments.
Sources of revenue for each level of government are specified to ensure its financial
autonomy.
Federal system has dual objectives. To safeguard and promote unity of the country,
and to accommodate regional diversity.
8. Describe in brief the language policy of India?
A.
Our Constitution did not give the status of national language to any one language.
The formation of linguistic states united the country and made administration easier.
The leaders of our country adopted a very cautious attitude in spreading the use of
Hindi. Hindi was identified as official language.
The banning of use of English for official purposes in 1965 took a violent form in Tamil
Nadu. The Central Government responded by agreeing to continue the use of English
along with Hindi for official purposes.
Promotion of Hindi is an official policy of the Government of India but it does not
impose Hindi on states where people speak a different language.
Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognised as scheduled languages by the
Constitution.
This flexibility shown by Indian leaders helped our country avoid the situation that Sri
Lanka finds itself in.

9. Explain the structure of the new Panchayati Raj institutions, both in rural and
urban areas.
A. Rural Local Government is known by the name of Panchayati Raj/ Democratic
decentralization.
Each village or group of villages has a Gram Panchayat.
Panch, President or Sarpanch are directly elected by all the adult population of the
village and is the decision-making body.
The Panchayat works under the supervision of Gram Sabha, with all the voters as its
members.
The local structure goes up to the district level—a group of Gram Panchayats form a
Panchayat Samiti or Block or Mandal.
All the Panchayat Samitis or Mandals together constitute the Zilla Parishad which
consists of elected members.
Lok Sabha members, Local MLAs and officers are also members of the Zilla Parishad.
Its chairperson is the political head of the Parishad.
Urban areas local bodies.
Municipalities are set up in towns.
Big cities are constituted into Municipal Corporations.
Both are controlled by elected bodies consisting of people’s representatives.
Municipal chairperson is the political head of the Municipality.
The head of Municipal Corporation is an officer called the Mayor.

10. “Federal power sharing is more effective today than it was in the early years after
the Constitution came into force”. Explain.
OR
How is federal power sharing more effective today than in the early years? Explain.
A. (i) Centre-State relations: As and when the ruling party at the State level was
different, the parties that ruled at the Centre tried to undermine the power of the
states. The Central Government has been misusing the Constitution to dismiss the
State governments that were controlled by rival parties. This undermined the spirit of
federalism. All this changed significantly after 1990. This period saw the rise of
regional political parties in many states of the country.
(ii) Coalition Governments and autonomy of states: The era of coalition has changed
the relationship between the centre and state governments 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. This led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of
State Governments.
(iii) Judgement of the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court of India has established
strict guidelines for imposing President’s rule. With new guidelines it is very difficult
for the Central Government to dismiss state governments in an arbitrary manner.
Thus, federal power sharing is more effective today than it was in the early years after
the Constitution came into force.
11. How is federalism practised in India? Explain.
OR
‘The real success of federalism in India can be attributed to the nature of democratic
politics in India.’ Explain.
A. (i) Linguistic States: After independence, in 1950, the boundaries of several old
states were changed in order to create new states. This was done to ensure that the
people who spoke the same language, share common culture, ethnicity or geography
could live in the same state.
(ii) Language Policy: The Indian Constitution did not give the status of national
language to any one of the languages. Though Hindi was identified as the optional
language, but the central government has not imposed Hindi on states where people
speak a different language. Besides Hindi, there are 22 other languages recognised as
Scheduled Languages by the Indian Constitution.
(iii) Centre-State relations: Improving the Centre-State relations is one more way in
which federalism has been strengthened in practice. Though Indian Constitution has
demarcated the powers of the Union and the state governments but still the Union
government can have influence over the state in many ways.
(iv) In the past, the Central government has often misused the Constitution to dismiss
the state governments that were controlled by rival parties. This undermined the spirit
of federalism, and that of democracy. The judiciary has played a major role in
improving the autonomy of the state governments because many a time, it has
rescued state governments which were dismissed in an arbitrary manner.
12. Explain the language policy of Indian Federal. How is it different from Sri Lanka?
OR
Write any four characteristics of language policy of India.
OR
Describe in brief the language policy of India.
A. (i) No National Language: Our Constitution did not give the status of national
language to any one language. Hindi was identified as the official language. But Hindi
is the mother tongue of only about 40 per cent of Indians. Therefore, there were many
safeguards to protect other languages.
(ii) Scheduled Languages: Besides Hindi, there are 22 other languages recognised as
Scheduled Languages by the Constitution. A candidate in an examination conducted
for the Central Government positions may opt to take the examination in any of these
languages. States too have their own official languages. Much of the government work
takes place in the official language of the concerned State.
(iii) Spread of Hindi with cautious approach: Unlike Sri Lanka, the leaders of our
country adopted a very cautious attitude in spreading the use of Hindi. 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, this movement took a violent form. The Central Government responded by
agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes.
Promotion of Hindi continues to be the official policy of the Government of India.
Promotion does not mean that the Central Government can impose Hindi on States
where people speak a different language.
(iv) Language policy of Sri Lanka: In 1956, an Act was passed by the Sri Lankan
government to recognise Sinhala as the only official language whereas in case of India
the government agreed to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official
purposes.