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NCERT Class 11 Political Science Chapter 7 Federalism
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Federalism
Chapter: 7
| (PART-A) INDIAN CONSTITUTION AT WORK |
| TEXT BOOK QUESTIONS ANSWER |
1. From the list of the following events, which ones would you identify with the functioning of federalism? Why?
(i) The Centre on Tuesday announced Sixth Schedule status of GNLF: led Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council which would ensure greater autonomy to the governing body in the Hill district of West Bengal. A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement was signed in New Delhi between the Centre, the West Bengal Government and the Subhash Ghising-led Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) after two days of hectic deliberations.
Ans: The very fast that the centre, state government and the GNLF involves the functioning of a federal structure as it allows autonomy in governance at the state and provincial level.
(ii) Government action plan for rain hit states: Centre has asked the rain ravaged states to submit detailed plans for reconstruction to enable it to respond to their demands for extra relief expeditiously.
Ans: A federal set-up is characterised by a sensitive centre towards the needs of the constituting units. The centre wants to help the rain ravaged states. It means it is sensitive to their problems. Hence this action of the centre could be identified with the functioning of federalism.
(iii) New Commissioner for Delhi: The Capital is getting a new municipal commissioner. Confirming this, present MCD Commissioner Rakesh Mehta said he has received his transfer orders and that he is likely to be replaced by an I.A.S. officer Ashok Kumar, who is serving as the Chief Secretary in Arunachal Pradesh. Mehta, a 1975 batch IAS officer, has been heading the MCD for about three-and a half years.
Ans: An officer from Arunachal Pradesh is transferred to Delhi functioning of federalism.
(iv) CU Status for Manipur University: Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill to convert the Manipur University into a Central University with the Human Resource Development Minister promising such institutions in the North Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim as well.
Ans: In the Indian federal set up education comes under Concurrent List. It is important to strengthen federation by establishing central institutes although it will undermine the control of states. It could well be identified as an example of the functioning of federalism.
(v) Funds released: The Centre has released Rs. 5.53 lakh to Arunachal Pradesh under its rural water supply scheme. The first instalment was of Rs. 466.81 lakh.
Ans: The it involves the functioning of federalism as the centre is providing funds to the state of Arunachal Pradesh under its rural water supply scheme. The state can then make use of the funds for its own development.
(vi) We’ll teach the Biharis how to live in Mumbai: Around 100 Shiv Sainiks stormed J.J. Hospital, disrupted daily operations, raised slogans and threatened to take matters into their own hands if no action was taken against non- Maharashtrian students.
Ans: Acts of Shiv Sainiks completely undermine the federal structure of the country. These acts cannot be identified as the working of federalism, whose chief objective is to promote one national identity based on fraternity. A culture of trust, cooperation, mutual respect and restraint amongst the people of the different units is a sine qua non for the smooth functioning of the federation.
(vii) Demand for dismissal of Government: The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in a representation submitted to State Governor recently, has demanded dismissal of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government for its alleged financial mismanagement and embezzlement of public money.
Ans: The event comes in the functioning of federalism as demand for the dismissal of a duly elected state government is an attack on the federal structure.
(viii) NDA Government asks naxalites to surrender arms: Amid a walkout by opposition RJD and its allies Congress and CPI (M), the Bihar Government today appealed to the naxalites to shun the path of violence and reaffirmed its pledge to root out unemployment to usher in a new era of development in Bihar.
Ans: This is an illustration of the state government’s function.
2. Think which of the following statements would be correct. State why.
(i) Federalism enhances the possibility of people from different regions to interact without the fear of one’s culture being imposed upon them by others.
Ans: A correct statement because in a federation there is a distribution of powers between the Centre and the states.
(ii) The Federal system will hinder easier economic transactions between two different regions that have distinct types of resources.
Ans: It is not a correct statement because the federal system is not a hindrance to trade and commerce.
(iii) A federal system will ensure that the powers of those at the centre will remain limited.
Ans: It is a correct statement. In a federal system, there is a division of power between the Centre and the states. Powers of the Centre are limited.
3. Based on the first few Articles of Belgian Constitution given below-explain how federalism is visualised in that country. Try and write a similar Article for the Constitution of India.
Title I: On Federal Belgium, its components and its territory.
Article (i): Belgium is a Federal State made up of communities and regions.
Ans: Belgium comprises three Communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community.
Article (ii): Belgium is made up of three communities: the French Community, the Flemish Community and the German Community.
Ans: The three communities in Belgium are Dutch, French, and German language-speaking communities. In Belgium, the community government is elected by people belonging to a particular language-speaking community, no matter where they live.
Article (iii): Belgium is made up of three regions: The Walloon region, the Flemish region and the Brussels region.
Ans: Apart from the Federal State and the Communities, there are the Regions. There are three Regions. The names of the three regional institutions are borrowed from the name of the territory they represent. So we refer to (from north to south) the Flemish Region, the Brussels-Capital Region and the Walloon Region.
Article (iv): Belgium has four linguistic regions: The French-speaking region, the Dutch- speaking region, the bilingual region of Brussels capital and the German-speaking region. Each commune (country borough) of the kingdom is part of one of these linguistic regions.
Ans: Almost 59% live in the Flemish region, and speak the Dutch language. Another 40% of the people live in the Wallonia region, and speak French. The remaining 1% of the Belgians speak German.
Article (v): The Walloon region is made up of the following provinces-The Walloon Brabant, Hainault, Liege, Luxemburg and Namur. The Flemish region is made up of the following provinces.
Antwerp, the Flemish Brabant, West Flanders, East Flanders and Limburg.
Ans: Wallonia has five provinces: Walloon Brabant, Hainaut, Liège, Luxembourg and Namur. The provinces are subordinate local authorities: they execute certain decisions that are made by the regional authority, in particular in terms of authority over the municipalities and their budgets.
4. Imagine that you were to rewrite the mons regarding federalism. Writ an essay of not more than 300 words making your suggestions about-
(a) division of powers among Centre and the States.
(b) distribution of financial resources.
(c) methods of resolving inter state disputes and.
(d) appointment of Governors.
Ans: (i) Federalism: As we know, federalism is an institutional mechanism to accommodate two sets of politics-one at the regional level and the other at the national level.
(b) Division of Powers: There are two sets of governments-the Central Government and the State Governments. This could include a combination of tax sharing, grants, and loans. States should have greater control over their financial resources, enabling them to address regional needs and priorities.
(c) Distribution of financial resources: There are certain taxes which are levied by the centre, but are collected by the states e.g. stamp duty and the taxes on the production of medicines and cosmetic preparations) This body would facilitate dialogue, mediation, and arbitration to resolve disputes efficiently and amicably.
(d) Methods of resolving inter-state distributions: In the public interest, the Parliament may establish an Inter-state Council if it deems so necessary. This council enquiries into the inter- state disputes and then finally submits its report or recommendations to the Parliament.
Haryana-Punjab have a dispute over Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra have a dispute over sharing the water of Narmada river.
(e) Appointment of governors: The Governor of a State is appointed by the President for a term of five years and holds office during his pleasure.That is why the Governors normally work as representatives of the Central Government in the states. They inform the centre about the conditions of the state off and on.
5. Which of the following should be the basis for the formation of a state? Why?
(a) Common language.
(b) Common economic interest.
(c) Common religion.
(d) Administrative convenience.
Ans: Administrative convenience should be the basis of formation of the state as it helps in the better administration and welfare of the citizens or people of that area. This would automatically lead to economic development and the development of a common economy. Federalism celebrates both unity as well as diversity. But in a federation, different units (states) are formed on the basis of common linguistic regions.
6. Majority of people from the states of north India-Rajasthan, Madhya, Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar speak Hindi. If all these states are combined to form one state, would it be in tune with the idea of federalism? Give arguments.
Ans: Drafted by James Madison, and presented by Edmund Randolph to the Constitutional Convention on May 29, 1787, the Virginia Plan proposed a strong central government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The unification of four large states with sizable populations would not be in tune with the idea of federalism. This is because there are many regional variations in the local issues that affect people in these states. Addressing these issues requires a separate political and administrative set up for each of them. From an administrative point of view, the creation of one very large state with a huge population would lead to imbalances in the distribution of resources across the territory. This would lead to unequal development and conflicts between various regions with the failure to fulfil the aspirations of all people.
7. List four features of the Indian Constitution that give greater power to the Central government than the State governments.
Ans: The four features of the Indian Constitution that give greater power to the Central government than the State governments, are given below-
(i) Establishment of a Strong Centre: India is a continent-sized country with enormous diversity and social troubles. The framers of the Constitution believed that we needed a federal constitution that would allow for diversity. Those who also desired to establish a strong centre to prevent disintegration and bring about social and political change.
(ii) The Emergency Powers of the Centre: The Emergency Provisions are incorporated to protect the Constitution, and the democratic political system, and to safeguard the sovereignty, unity, integrity, and security of the country. During an Emergency, the Central government becomes all-powerful and the States go into total control of the Centre.
(iii) Appointments of Governors: The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
(iv) Single Citizenship: Single Citizenship restricts a person from claiming the citizenship rights of his/her state. This concept is practised to bind people who belong to different cultural and spiritual backgrounds. Single Citizenship only allows the people to represent their nation.
(v) Single Judiciary: A “dual court system” is a judicial structure employing two independent court systems, one operating at the local level and the other at the national level.
(vi) Financial Dependence of the States on Centre: It further signifies that the State is dependent on the Centre for the financial development because the revenue generation of the State is on the financial commission basis.
8. Why are many states unhappy about the role of the Governor?
Ans: The governor appoints the chief minister, who enjoys the support of the majority in the State Legislative Assembly. The governor also appoints the other members of the Council of Ministers and distributes portfolios to them on the advice of the chief minister.Many states are unhappy about the role of the governor because the governor is appointed by the central government. Therefore, there is a possibility of the governor’s office being used to control and remove the state government. The governor is not elected but appointed by the central government and can be a retired military officer, civil servant or politician. The governor can suspend the elected state government and can also dissolve the legislative assembly. The governor also has the power to reserve a bill passed by the state government for the assent of the President.
9. President’s rule can be imposed in a state if the government is not being run according to the provisions of the Constitution. State whether any of the following conditions are a fit case of imposition of President’s rule in the state. Give reasons.
(i) Two members of the State Legislative Assembly belonging to the main opposition party have been killed by criminals and the opposition is demanding dismissal of the state government.
Ans: Elections to the Vidhan Sabhas are carried out in the same manner as for the Lok Sabha election. The states and union territories are also divided into single-member constituencies. The candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins and becomes the MLA for that seat. A political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in a state can be said to be in majority.
(ii) Kidnapping of young children for ransom is on rise. The number of crimes against women are increasing.
Ans: With 3,260 cases in 2023, Bengaluru reported nearly a 23.9 per cent increase in crimes against women, as compared to 2022, and a whopping 61 per cent increase compared to 2021, according to CCRB data. Molestation and dowry cases were the major contributors with 1,135 and 1,007 cases, respectively.
(iii) No political party has secured a majority in the recent elections of the State Legislative assembly. It is feared that some MLAs from the other parties may be lured to support a political party in return for money.
Ans: In a multi-party system with legislators elected by proportional representation or a similar systems, it is usually exceptionally rare and difficult for any party to have an absolute majority. Under such situations, hung parliaments are often taken for granted and coalition governments are normal.
(iv) Different political parties are ruling in the State and at the Centre and they are bitter opponents of each other.
Ans: The political party that has the majority is called the ruling party and all other members are called the opposition. For example, the Legislative Assembly of the state of Himachal Pradesh has 68 MLA constituencies. The state of Himachal Pradesh is coloured in green in the above thumbnail map of India.
(v) More than 2000 people have been killed in the communal riots.
Ans: Indian government officials have acknowledged that since February 27, 2002, more than 850 people have been killed in communal violence in the state of Gujarat, most of them Muslims. Unofficial estimates put the death toll as high as 2,000.
(vi) In the water dispute between the two states one state government refused to follow the decision of the Supreme Court.
Ans: The Article 262 of India’s Constitution provides for barring the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction over interstate river water disputes. Accordingly, the Interstate River Water Disputes Act 1956 bars the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court or any other court over interstate river water disputes.
10. What are the demands raised by states in their quest for greater autonomy?
Ans: First, the power balance should be shifted in favour of the states, and the states should be given more and more vital powers.
(i) Gorkhaland: The Gorkha-majority areas of Darjeeling and nearby regions in West Bengal have seen demands for a separate state of Gorkhaland due to cultural and historical reasons.
(ii) Bodoland: In Assam, the Bodo-majority areas have witnessed movements for a separate state of Bodoland, citing issues of ethnic identity and socio-economic development.
(iii) Vidarbha: The region of Vidarbha in Maharashtra has seen periodic demands for statehood, citing issues of regional underdevelopment and neglect by the state government.
(iv) Bundelkhand: Parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh comprising the Bundelkhand region have witnessed demands for a separate state due to perceived economic backwardness and neglect by state governments.
11. Should some states be governed by special provisions? Does this create resentment among other states? Does this help in forging greater unity among the regions of the country?
Ans: To protect the cultural and economic interests of the tribal people of the states or. To deal with the disturbed law and order condition in some parts of the states or. To protect the interests of the local people of the states.
(i) Article 371A was introduced into the Constitution (Part XXI) as part of the 13th Amendment in 1962, granting special provisions to Nagaland (then Naga Hills and Tuensang Area).
(ii) Article 371A states that no act of Parliament shall apply to Nagaland in respect of the religious or social practices of the Nagas, the Naga customary law and procedure, the administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to the Naga customary law, and the ownership and transfer of land and its resources, unless the Nagaland Legislative Assembly decides otherwise by a resolution.
(iii) This means that the state government has limited authority and jurisdiction over the land and its resources, which are owned and controlled by the local communities and governed by their customary laws and practices.
