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Power Sharing Mechanisms in Democracy: NBSE class 10 Social Science
Here you will find all the questions, solutions, answers, and notes of chapter 12 Power Sharing Mechanisms in Democracy of Social Science for class 10 students studying under Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). However, the study materials should be used only for references and nothing more. The notes can be modified/changed according to needs.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Summary
Federalism is a system of government in which power is constitutionally divided between the national or central government and various regional units. Each government is autonomous. Federalism allows two sets of identities; people belong to the region as well as the country. For example, one can be an Assamese as well as an Indian. The national government in a federation holds powers related to common national interests like Defence, Foreign policy, Finance, etc. The provincial or state governments hold powers related to regional interests like law and order. The central and state governments have independent, distinct and exclusive powers. Thus, we conclude that vertical division of power sharing is most commonly referred to as federalism.
Under the unitary system, real and effective powers are in the hands of the national or union government. The centre can transfer some of its powers to regional levels on its own. The central government can pass orders to the provincial or regional governments which are subordinate to it. But in a federal system, the regional governments are not subordinate to the centre; hence, it cannot pass orders to them. State or regional governments are not answerable to the central government. Both the set of governments are separately answerable to their respective legislatures or to the people.
Textual questions and answers
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which form of power sharing is most commonly referred to as federalism?
(a) Horizontal division of power (b) Vertical division of power (c) Division of power among various communities (d) Sharing of power among political parties
Answer: b. Vertical division of power
2. The Gram Sabha supervises the functioning of
(a) Nyaya Panchayat (b) Gram Panchayat (c) Zila Parishad (d) Block Samiti
Answer: b. Gram Panchayat
3. The Concurrent List has
(a) 47 subjects (b) 51 subjects (c) 56 subjects (d) 50 subjects
Answer: a. 47 subjects
4. Read the statements given below related to the concept of federalism:
i. There are two or more tiers or levels of the government. ii. Judiciary settles disputes between centre and the regional units iii. Constitution guarantees existence and authority of each tier of government. iv. Amendment of the basic structure of the constitution can be done unilaterally.
Which of the above-mentioned statements is/are not the feature of federalism?
(a) i and iii (b) Only iv (c) ii and iv (d) I,ii,iii and iv
Answer: b. Only iv
5. Directions: In the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Mark the correct choice as:
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false. (d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
Assertion: Currency is a part of Union List.
Reason: It is a subject of national importance.
Answer: a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Very Short Answer questions
1. What was the main objective of Sarkaria Commission?
Answer: The main objective of the Sarkaria Commission was to examine the relationships between the state and the central government and the state governments and the powers they share.
2. Name the apex court of India.
Answer: The apex court in India is the Supreme Court of India.
3. What is the popular name of rural local government?
Answer: The popular name of rural local government is Panchayati Raj.
Short Answer Questions
1. Which countries follow the ‘coming together’, style of federalism?
Answer: A few countries which follow the ‘coming together’ style of the federation are the USA, Switzerland, and Australia.
2. Name the two amendments which gave legal status to local self-government in India.
Answer: The 73rd and 74th amendments gave legal status to local self-government in India.
3. Mention two major objectives of a federal government.
Answer: The two main objectives of a federal government are:
(i) to safeguard and promote the unity and integrity of a country
(ii) to accommodate regional diversity
Long Answer Questions
1. Differentiate between a federal and a unitary form of the government? Give an example.
Answer: Federal form of government is a system of government in which power is constitutionally divided
between the national or central government and various regional units. Each government is autonomous. Federalism allows two sets of identities; people belong to the region as well as the country. For example, one can be an Assamese as well as an Indian.
Under the unitarY sYstem, real and effective powers are in the hands of the national or union government. The centre can transfer some of its powers to regional levels on its own. The central government can pass orders to the provincial or regional governments which are subordinate to it. Example China, France, etc.
2. Mention any four factors behind the decentralisation of power in India.
Answer: Four factors behind the decentralisation of power in India are:
i. Several states of India are bigger than independent countries of Europe For the sake of efficiency in administration, a state had to give some of the powers to local self-governments.
ii. A large number of issues and problems are best settled at the local level because these may be different in different localities of the same state.
iii. People at the local level have a better knowledge of problems and solutions at the local level.
iv. If local people directly participate in the processes of governance, democracy is strengthened at the grassroots level.
3. Explain the threefold distribution of legislative power between the Union Government and the State Governments.
Answer: The Constitution of India provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative powers. lt contains three lists : (i) Union List (ii) State List (iii) Concurrent List.
Union List: The Union government alone can make laws on the subjects in the list. For example, defence, foreign policy, atomic energy, banking, post and telegraph.
State List: The State governments alone can make laws on the subjects contained in the list. For example, police, local government, trade and commerce within the state.
Concurrent List: On the subjects in this list both the Union and State governments can make laws. For example criminal and civil procedure, marriage and divorce, education, economic planning, trade union, etc.
4, Describe any four features of federalism.
Answer: Four features of federalism are:
i. There are two or more tiers or levels of government.
ii. Various levels of government rule or administer the same citizens but each level has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of administration, taxation, and legislation.
iii. The Constitution guarantees the existence and authority of each tier of government. The powers and functions of various levels of government are clearly stated in the Constitution.
iv. Amendment or modification of basic features of the Constitution cannot be done by any level unilaterally. It requires legal consent of both levels of government.
5. Describe any four measures taken to decentralise power in India.
Answer: Four measures taken to decentralise power in India are:
i. The first step taken to decentralize power in India was the adoption of a federal system of government right after independence which defines the power sharing between the central government and the state governments.
ii. A Community Development Programme was initiated at first in 1952. Then a three-tier Panchayati Raj system of local government was started in the rural areas.
iii. In the beginning, these local bodies did not have enough powers and functions to look after the local development. Subsequently, the 73rd and 74th amendments were passed by the Parliament in 1992 to give more powers to the local governments.
iv. The 73rd Amendment referred to rural local governments (referred to as Panchayati Raj institutions or PRls) while the 74th amendment made provisions for urban local governments (Nagarpalikas). They came into force in 1993.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. How is power divided in federalism?
A. Vertical division of power B. Horizontal division of power C. Division of power among various communities D. Sharing of power among political parties
Answer: A. Vertical division of power
Q. Which provision of the Indian Constitution did not use the word “federation”?
A. Union of States B. Unitary system C. Federal structure D. Confederation
Answer: A. Union of States
Q. What are the three lists into which the Constitution of India divides legislative powers?
A. Union List, State List, and Residuary List B. Union List, State List, and Concurrent List C. Union List, Concurrent List, and Panchayat List D. State List, Concurrent List, and Panchayat List
Answer: B. Union List, State List, and Concurrent List
Q. Which subjects are included in the Union List?
A. Defence, Foreign Policy, Banking B. Police, Local Government, Agriculture C. Education, Forest, Trade Unions D. Both A and B
Answer: A. Defence, Foreign Policy, Banking
Q. Which subjects are included in the State List?
A. Police, Local Government, Public Health B. Defence, Foreign Policy, Banking C. Education, Forest, Trade Unions D. Both A and C
Answer: A. Police, Local Government, Public Health
Q. Which subjects are included in the Concurrent List?
A. Criminal and Civil Procedure, Marriage and Divorce B. Defence, Foreign Policy, Banking C. Police, Local Government, Agriculture D. Both A and C
Answer: A. Criminal and Civil Procedure, Marriage and Divorce
Q. Which body can make laws on the residuary subjects?
A. State Government B. Union Government C. Both Union and State Government D. Panchayat
Answer: B. Union Government
Q. Which provision of the Indian Constitution gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir?
A. Article 370 B. Article 371 C. Article 372 D. Article 373
Answer: A. Article 370
Q. What was the main reason for the creation of linguistic states in India?
A. Administrative convenience B. Accommodation of regional diversity C. Safeguarding the unity and integrity of the country D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. Which language was granted the status of the official language of India?
A. Hindi B. English C. Both Hindi and English D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both Hindi and English
Q. When did the Indian Constitution provide for the creation of Panchayati Raj institutions?
A. 1947 B. 1952 C. 1992 D. 2000
Answer: C. 1992
Q. What is the bottom level of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system?
A. Zila Parishad B. Panchayat Samiti C. Gram Panchayat D. Nyaya Panchayat
Answer: C. Gram Panchayat
Q. Which amendment of the Indian Constitution dealt with the Panchayati Raj institutions?
A. 72nd Amendment B. 73rd Amendment C. 74th Amendment D. Both B and C
Answer: B. 73rd Amendment
Q. Which amendment of the Indian Constitution dealt with the urban local bodies?
A. 72nd Amendment B. 73rd Amendment C. 74th Amendment D. Both B and C
Answer: C. 74th Amendment
Q. What is the highest local government institution in large urban areas?
A. Municipal Council B. Municipal Corporation C. Zila Parishad D. Gram Panchayat
Answer: B. Municipal Corporation
Q. What is the popular name of the rural local government in India?
A. Nagarpalikas B. Panchayati Raj C. Municipal Corporations D. Zila Parishad
Answer: B. Panchayati Raj
Q. When was the first step taken towards decentralization in India?
A. 1947 B. 1952 C. 1992 D. 2000
Answer: B. 1952
Q. What is the purpose of the State Finance Commission?
A. To conduct Panchayat and municipal elections B. To examine the financial position of local governments C. To share powers between the Centre and the States D. To protect the rights of the Adivasis
Answer: B. To examine the financial position of local governments
Q. What is the duration of the term of the elected local government bodies?
A. 3 years B. 4 years C. 5 years D. 6 years
Answer: C. 5 years
Q. How many subjects were transferred to Panchayats by the 73rd Amendment Act?
A. 18 B. 22 C. 29 D. 35
Answer: C. 29
Q. Which article of the Indian Constitution directs the government to organize village Panchayats as units of self-government?
A. Article 40 B. Article 73 C. Article 370 D. Article 371
Answer: A. Article 40
Q. What is the name of the independent institution created in each state to conduct Panchayat and municipal elections?
A. State Election Commission B. State Finance Commission C. Zila Parishad D. Panchayat Samiti
Answer: A. State Election Commission
Q. What is the name of the Act passed in 1996 to protect the rights of the Adivasis?
A. Panchayati Raj Act B. 73rd Amendment Act C. 74th Amendment Act D. Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act
Answer: D. Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act
Q. What is the name of the intermediary or middle level of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system?
A. Gram Panchayat B. Panchayat Samiti C. Zila Parishad D. Nyaya Panchayat
Answer: B. Panchayat Samiti
Q. What is the name of the apex level of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system?
A. Gram Panchayat B. Panchayat Samiti C. Zila Parishad D. Nyaya Panchayat
Answer: C. Zila Parishad
Q. What is the name of the body that comprises all the adult members registered as voters in the Panchayat area?
A. Gram Sabha B. Panchayat Samiti C. Zila Parishad D. Nyaya Panchayat
Answer: A. Gram Sabha
Q. What is the name of the elected head of the Municipal Council?
A. President B. Vice President C. Mayor D. Municipal Commissioner
Answer: A. President
Q. What is the number of subjects included in the Concurrent List?
A. 47 B. 51 C. 56 D. 61
Answer: A. 47
Q. What is the number of subjects included in the State List?
A. 47 B. 51 C. 61 D. 97
Answer: C. 61
Q. What is the number of subjects included in the Union List?
A. 47 B. 61 C. 97 D. 100
Answer: C. 97
Q. Which two countries are examples of the ‘coming together’ style of federalism?
A. India and Spain B. USA and Switzerland C. India and Belgium D. USA and India
Answer: B. USA and Switzerland
Q. Which two countries are examples of the ‘holding together’ style of federalism?
A. India and Spain B. USA and Switzerland C. India and Belgium D. USA and India
Answer: A. India and Spain
Q. What was the main reason behind the rise of regional parties in many states after the decline of the Congress Party’s popularity?
A. Imposition of President’s rule B. Recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission C. Coalition governments at the Centre D. Strengthening of the federal setup
Answer: C. Coalition governments at the Centre
Q. What was the main reason behind the flexibility shown by the nationalist leaders regarding the language policy?
A. Peaceful settlement of the language issue B. Imposition of Hindi as the national language C. Promotion of English as the official language D. Neglect of regional languages
Answer: A. Peaceful settlement of the language issue
Q. What was the main reason behind the creation of linguistic states in India?
A. Administrative convenience B. Accommodation of regional diversity C. Safeguarding the unity and integrity of the country D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. What was the main objective behind the decentralization of power in India?
A. Efficiency in administration B. Strengthening of democracy at the grassroots level C. Better management of local resources D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. What was the main reason behind the success of Indian federalism?
A. Clearly laid out provisions in the Constitution B. Nature of democratic politics in the country C. Adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution D. Both A and B
Answer: D. Both A and B
Q. What was the main reason behind the creation of new states like Nagaland, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand?
A. Linguistic homogeneity B. Cultural, ethnic, or geographical differences C. Administrative convenience D. Both A and B
Answer: B. Cultural, ethnic, or geographical differences
Q. What was the main reason behind the creation of the state of Telangana?
A. Linguistic homogeneity B. Cultural, ethnic, or geographical differences C. Administrative convenience D. Regional autonomy
Answer: D. Regional autonomy
Q. Which amendment of the Indian Constitution dealt with the urban local bodies?
A. 72nd Amendment B. 73rd Amendment C. 74th Amendment D. Both B and C
Answer: C. 74th Amendment
Q. Which amendment of the Indian Constitution dealt with the rural local governments (Panchayati Raj institutions)?
A. 72nd Amendment B. 73rd Amendment C. 74th Amendment D. Both B and C
Answer: B. 73rd Amendment
Q. What is the main difference between the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Indian Constitution?
A. The 73rd Amendment deals with rural local governments, while the 74th Amendment deals with urban local governments. B. The 73rd Amendment deals with urban local governments, while the 74th Amendment deals with rural local governments. C. The 73rd Amendment deals with the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions, while the 74th Amendment deals with the establishment of Municipal Corporations. D. There is no difference between the two amendments.
Answer: A. The 73rd Amendment deals with rural local governments, while the 74th Amendment deals with urban local governments.
Q. What is the main function of the Municipal Corporation in India?
A. Town planning B. Economic and social development C. Construction and maintenance of roads and bridges D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. What is the main function of the Gram Sabha in the Panchayati Raj system?
A. Elect the Gram Panchayat members B. Supervise the functioning of the Gram Panchayat C. Approve the budget of the Gram Panchayat D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
Q. What is the main purpose of the Three-Tier Panchayati Raj system in India?
A. Decentralization of power B. Efficiency in administration C. Strengthening of democracy at the grassroots level D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. What is the main role of the State Election Commission in the Panchayati Raj system?
A. Conduct Panchayat and municipal elections B. Examine the financial position of local governments C. Share powers between the Centre and the States D. Protect the rights of the Adivasis
Answer: A. Conduct Panchayat and municipal elections
Q. What is the main purpose of the State Finance Commission in the Panchayati Raj system?
A. Conduct Panchayat and municipal elections B. Examine the financial position of local governments C. Share powers between the Centre and the States D. Protect the rights of the Adivasis
Answer: B. Examine the financial position of local governments
Q. What is the main feature of the 73rd Amendment Act regarding the reservation of seats for women in the Panchayati Raj institutions?
A. 10% reservation B. 20% reservation C. 30% reservation D. 50% reservation
Answer: D. 50% reservation
Q. What is the main feature of the 73rd Amendment Act regarding the mandatory holding of regular elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions?
A. Elections must be held every 3 years B. Elections must be held every 4 years C. Elections must be held every 5 years D. Elections must be held every 6 years
Answer: C. Elections must be held every 5 years
Q. What is the main purpose of the Three-Tier Panchayati Raj system in India?
A. To ensure administrative convenience B. To strengthen the federal structure C. To decentralize power to the local level D. To promote regional autonomy
Answer: C. To decentralize power to the local level
Q. What is the main function of the Zila Parishad in the Panchayati Raj system?
A. Supervise the functioning of the Gram Panchayat B. Approve the budget of the Gram Panchayat C. Coordinate the activities of the Panchayat Samitis in the district D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
Q. What is the main function of the Panchayat Samiti in the Panchayati Raj system?
A. Supervise the functioning of the Gram Panchayat B. Approve the budget of the Gram Panchayat C. Coordinate the activities of the Gram Panchayats in the block D. Both A and C
Answer: D. Both A and C
Q. What is the main feature of the 74th Amendment Act regarding the reservation of seats for women in the Urban Local Bodies?
A. 10% reservation B. 20% reservation C. 30% reservation D. 50% reservation
Answer: D. 50% reservation
55. What is the main purpose of the State Finance Commission in the Panchayati Raj system?
A. To conduct Panchayat and municipal elections B. To examine the financial position of local governments C. To share powers between the Centre and the States D. To protect the rights of the Adivasis
Answer: B. To examine the financial position of local governments
Extra/additional questions and answers/solutions
Q. What is federalism?
Answer: Federalism is a system of government in which power is constitutionally divided between the national or central government and various regional units.
Q. How many subjects are there in the Union List?
Answer: There are 97 subjects in the Union List.
Q. How many subjects are there in the State List?
Answer: There are 61 subjects in the State List.
Q. What is the Concurrent List?
Answer: The Concurrent List has subjects on which both the Union and State governments can make laws.
Q. How many languages are officially recognized in India?
Answer: Twenty-two languages are officially recognized in India.
Q. When was the States Reorganization Commission formed?
Answer: The States Reorganization Commission was formed in 1954.
Q. When did the reorganization of some states take place?
Answer: The reorganization of some states took place in 1956.
Q. What was the main reason for the creation of linguistic states?
Answer: The main reason was that democracy can become real to common people only when politics and administration are conducted through the language they understand.
Q. When were the 73rd and 74th amendments passed?
Answer: The 73rd and 74th amendments were passed by the Parliament in 1992.
Q. What does the 73rd amendment deal with?
Answer: The 73rd amendment deals with rural local governments or Panchayati Raj institutions.
Q. What does the 74th amendment deal with?
Answer: The 74th amendment deals with urban local bodies or Nagarpalikas.
Q. What is the highest local government institution in large urban areas?
Answer: A Municipal Corporation is the highest local government institution in large urban areas.
Q. How many Municipal Corporations are there in India?
Answer: There are about 70 Municipal Corporations in India.
Q. What is the role of the State Finance Commission?
Answer: The State Finance Commission examines the financial position of the local governments and reviews the distribution of revenues between the state and local governments.
Q. How often is the State Finance Commission set up?
Answer: The State Finance Commission is set up once in every five years.
Q. What was the first step towards decentralization in India?
Answer: The first step was the Community Development Programme of 1952.
Q. What is the role of the Gram Sabha?
Answer: The Gram Sabha supervises the functioning of the Gram Panchayat.
Q. What is the middle level of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system called?
Answer: The middle level is referred to as Panchayat Samiti.
Q. What is the apex level of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system called?
Answer: The apex level is called the Zila Parishad.
Q. What are the two main objectives of a federal government?
Answer: The two main objectives of a federal government are: (i) to safeguard and promote the unity and integrity of a country, (ii) to accommodate regional diversity.
Q. How is federalism practiced in India?
Answer: The Constitution declared India as a Union of States. Although it did not use or specify the word federation, the Indian Union is based on the principles of federalism. Most of the features of federalism mentioned above apply to the provisions of Indian Constitution.
Q. How were linguistic states created in India?
Answer: In 1954, the States Reorganisation Commission was formed and it recommended the creation of linguistic states. In 1956, reorganization of some states took place. This saw the beginning of the creation of linguistic states and the process is still continuing.
Q. How was the language problem resolved in India?
Answer: The language problem was resolved as the Constitution makers virtually accepted all the major languages as ‘languages of India’. No one language was given the status of a national language. Hindi was granted the status of the official language as it is spoken by the maximum number of Indians. English was granted the status of an associate language whose use for official purposes was to continue till 1965.
Q. What were the provisions related to the Centre-State relations in India?
Answer: The Constitution has made clear-cut provisions for the subjects on which the central and the state governments can pass laws. This clearly states the division of powers between the Centre and the state governments. They come under different lists of subjects, and are called the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.
Q. What is the composition of the Union List?
Answer: The Union List has 97 subjects. Only the central government can pass laws on subjects mentioned in this list.
Q. What is the composition of the State List?
Answer: The State List contains 61 subjects on which the state governments can pass laws. Subjects like police, local government, trade and commerce within the state and agriculture are included in this list.
Q. What is the composition of the Concurrent List?
Answer: The Concurrent List has 47 subjects which are the common concerns of both the Centre and State governments. In ordinary circumstances, both can frame laws on these subjects. But if there is a conflict between a Central law and a State law over a subject in the Concurrent List, then the Central law would be effective.
Q. What led to the decentralization of power in India?
Answer: Several factors led to the decentralization of power in India: (i) Several states of India are bigger than independent countries of Europe, (ii) A large number of issues and problems are best settled at local level, (iii) People at local level have better knowledge of problems and solutions at local level, (iv) If local people directly participate in the processes of governance, democracy is strengthened at the grassroot level, (v) Our national leaders emphasized the need for setting up local self-government.
Q. What is the three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in India?
Answer: The three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in India consists of the Zila Parishad (covering the entire rural district), Panchayat Samiti (Mandal or Taluka Panchayats: Intermediary or Middle level), and Gram Panchayat (Villages or Groups of Villages).
Q. What is the role of Gram Sabha?
Answer: The Gram Sabha comprises all the adult members registered as voters in the Panchayat area. It supervises the functioning of Gram Panchayat. It approves the budget of Gram Panchayat and reviews its performance.
Q. What are the provisions related to urban local bodies in India?
Answer: The 74th amendment deals with urban local bodies or Nagarpalikas. All the features of the 73rd amendment are included in the 74th amendment. The only difference is that they refer to the urban areas. They also have: (i) Direct elections, (ii) Reservations, (iii) Transfer of subjects from the State List, (iv) State Election Commission, and (v) State Finance Commission.
Q. What are the important features of local self-government in India?
Answer: The important features of local self-government in India are: It is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and executive heads for weaker sections of society. About one-third of all seats are reserved for women. An independent State Election Commission conducts panchayat and municipal elections. State governments are required to share powers and revenue with local government bodies.
Q. How are the rights of Adivasis protected in the context of local self-government?
Answer: The rights of the Adivasis are protected by a separate Act passed in 1996. Consistent with the spirit of diversity and decentralization, the local traditions of the Adivasis are protected by this Act. It protects the Adivasi rights to manage their own resources in their own traditional ways.
Q. How many subjects were transferred to Panchayats by the Constitution?
Answer: Twenty-nine subjects, which were earlier in the state list of subjects have been transferred to Panchayats by the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992. These have been included in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Q. How was the issue of national language resolved in India?
Answer: The language problem was the most divisive issue in the first twenty years of independence. People love their language, it is an integral part of their culture. India is believed to have 1,652 mother tongues of which 29 are spoken by people numbering over a million. The Constitution makers virtually accepted all the major languages as ‘languages of India’. No one language was given the status of a national language. Hindi was granted the status of the official language as it is spoken by the maximum number of Indians. It is the mother tongue of about 40 per cent of Indians. English was granted the status of an associate language whose use for official purposes was to continue till 1965.
Q. What are the key features of federalism?
Answer: Key features of federalism are:
- There are two or more tiers or levels of government.
- Various levels of government rule or administer the same citizens but each level has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of administration, taxation and legislation.
- The Constitution guarantees existence and authority of each tier of government. Powers and functions of various levels of governments are clearly stated in the Constitution.
- Amendment or modification of basic features of the Constitution cannot be done by any level unilaterally. It requires legal consent of both the levels of government.
- To prevent conflicts between the centre and the regional units, there is an independent judiciary to settle disputes. The courts have been vested with powers to settle disputes over distribution of power. The highest court of the land (in our case, the Supreme Court) is the final and supreme interpreter of the laws of the land.
- Financial autonomy of various tiers of government is ensured by allotting distinct sources of revenue to each tier, though in India’s case the states are very much dependent on the centre for finance.
Q. What are the two main objectives of a federal government?
Answer: The two main objectives of a federal government are: (i) to safeguard and promote the unity and integrity of a country. (ii) to accommodate regional diversity.
Q. How are the subjects divided between the Union and State Governments in India?
Answer: The Constitution has made clear-cut provisions for the subjects on which the central and the state governments can pass laws. This clearly states the division of powers between the Centre and the state governments. They come under different lists of subjects, and are called the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.
The Union List has 97 subjects. The State List has 61 subjects. The Concurrent List has 47 subjects.
(a) The Union List: Subjects of national interests come under this list. For example, defence, foreign policy, atomic energy, banking, post and telegraph are included in this list. Only the central government can pass laws on subjects mentioned in this list.
(b) The State List: It contains those important subjects on which the state governments can pass laws. Subjects like police, local government, trade and commerce within the state and agriculture are included in this list.
(c) The Concurrent List: The Constitution has provided a third list, which has subjects which are the common concerns of both the Centre and State governments. In ordinary circumstances, both can frame laws on these subjects. But if there is a conflict between a Central law and a State law over a subject in the Concurrent List, then the Central law would be effective.
Q. What is the structure of Panchayati Raj system in India?
Answer: Under the 73rd Amendment, all states have now a uniform three-tier Panchayati Raj structure. At the base is the ‘Gram Panchayat’, the middle level is referred to as Panchayat Samiti and at the apex is the ‘Zila Parishad’ covering the whole district. A few Gram Panchayats are grouped together to form what is called a Panchayat Samiti. Its members are elected by all the panchayat members in that area. All the Panchayat Samitis in a district together constitute the Zila Parishad. Most of its members are elected. Members of Lok Sabha and MLAs of that district are also its members. Zila Parishad chairperson is the political head of the Zila Parishad.
Q. What is the role of Gram Sabha in Panchayati Raj system?
Answer: There is also a provision for the mandatory creation of Gram Sabhas. A Gram Sabha comprises all the adult members registered as voters in the Panchayat area. Each village or a group of villages has a Gram Panchayat. This is a council consisting of panchas and a sarpanch. They are elected by all adult population in a village. The Gram Sabha supervises the functioning of Gram Panchayat. It approves the budget of Gram Panchayat and reviews its performance.
Q. What are the provisions regarding urban local bodies in India?
Answer: The 74th amendment deals with urban local bodies or Nagarpalikas. All the features of the 73rd amendment are included in the 74th amendment. The only difference is that they refer to the urban areas. They also have: (i) Direct elections (ii) Reservations (iii) Transfer of subjects from the State List (iv) State Election Commission and (v) State Finance Commission.
In urban areas there are Municipal Councils for smaller urban areas and Municipal Corporations for the larger urban areas. A Municipal Corporation is the highest local government institution working in each large urban area. There are about 70 Municipal Corporations in India. They look after subjects like (i) Town planning (ii) Economic and social development (iii) Construction and maintenance of roads and bridges (iv) Water supply (v) Public health and sanitation.
Q. What are the important features of local self-government in India?
Answer: Important features of local self-government in India are:
- Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
- Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and executive heads of these institutions for weaker sections of society such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
- About one-third of all seats are reserved for women.
- An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
- The state governments are required to share powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from state to state.
- A State Finance Commission examines the financial position of the local governments in the state once in every five years. It also reviews the distribution of revenues between the state and local governments on the one hand and between rural and urban local governments on the other.
- The rights of the Adivasis are protected by a separate Act passed in 1996. Consistent with the spirit of diversity and decentralisation, the local traditions of the Adivasis are protected by this Act. It protects the Adivasi rights to manage their own resources in their own traditional ways.
- All the three levels of Panchayati Raj are elected directly by the people for a period of five years. If it is dissolved before 5 years, fresh elections must be held within 6 months.
- Twenty-nine subjects, which were earlier in the state list of subjects have been transferred to Panchayats by the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992. These have been included in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
46. What are the two routes of formation of federations?
Answer: Formation of federations has either been from ‘below’ or from ‘above’. The first route involves coming together of independent states or constituents on their own to form a bigger unit. They sought to increase their security and quicker development by pooling together their sovereignty but retaining identity. For example, the thirteen states of America initially came together to form a federation called the United States of America. This type of ‘coming together’ federations include the USA, Switzerland and Australia. In this category, the constituent states have equal powers and the balance of power is slightly tilted towards them. They are strong vis-a-vis the federal government.
The second route of formation of a federation is where a big country decides to distribute power between the centre and states or constituent units. This is called ‘holding together’ federations. India, Spain and Belgium are good examples of this category. In this category, the balance of power is slightly tilted towards the centre. The central government is generally more powerful vis-a-vis the states. Some units are granted more powers than others. In case of India, the states have been given more powers than the union territories.
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