FEDERALISM ISSUES - POLITY
News: PM calls upon CMs to work as ‘Team India'
What is in the news?
● Recently,
the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the eighth Governing Council
meeting of NITI Aayog said the Centre and the States would have to work as
“Team India” to realise the objective of a Viksit Bharat Developed India in
2047.
Key takeaways from the news:
● The
Prime Minister said NITI Aayog could play a critical role in helping the States
to develop their strategies for the next 25 years and align the same with the
national development agenda.
● Programmes
like Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme
showcased the power of working together as Centre, States and districts.
● It
enhanced the impact of data-driven governance in improving the lives of common
citizens at the grassroots.
Recent issues in the federalism:
1.
Border disputes:
● There
are several long-standing border disputes between Indian states.
● Eg.
Disputes like Assam and Mizoram, Karnataka
and Maharashtra over the Belgaum district.
2.
GST council meeting:
● There
have been several instances of disagreement between the Centre and states over
GST rates, policies, items coverage.
● Eg.
The recent ruling by the Supreme Court that GST Council decisions are not
binding on states has erupted tensions between Centre and State.
3.
COVID-19 vaccine distribution:
● The
COVID-19 pandemic has also led to some tensions between states and the Centre.
● Eg. Disagreements over the distribution of
vaccines and funds.
4.
Centre's encroachment on state subjects:
● Many
important and politically sensitive decisions have been taken in the past few
years, without reference to, and consultation with, the concerned state
governments.
● Eg. The New Education
Policy 2020 has also been flagged as encroaching on the federal nature of the
polity.
5.
GST compensation:
● There
have been disagreements between the centre and the states over the compensation
that the states are entitled to receive from the centre for the loss of revenue
due to the implementation of the GST.
6.
Governor's overreacting on State autonomy:
● Major
issue in federalism is the governor's unconstitutional actions against the
autonomy of the State governments.
WAY FORWARD:
1.
Constitutional reforms:
● Clear
delineation of powers and responsibilities of the Centre and State governments
should be made in the Constitution.
2.
Judiciary's role:
● Judiciary
should effectively use its power of Judicial review to protect and expand the
concept of federalism.
3.
Financial protection:
● Strengthen
the financial autonomy of states by ensuring a more equitable distribution of financial resources between the centre
and the states.
4.
Clear guidelines on Governor's role:
● Parliament
should clearly provide the guidelines on Governor's role in the states.
5.
Strengthening the federal bodies:
● Both
the central and state governments should take efforts to strengthen the federal
bodies like National development
council, Inter State council.