Which of the following strengthens the practice of 'Federalism' in In...
- To prevent conflicts between the centre and the State, there is an independent judiciary to settle disputes. The more independent the judiciary is, the more effective it will be able to settle the disputes and enforce the rule of law rather than the domination of the Centre. The judiciary has the powers to resolve disputes between the central government and the States on legal matters about the division of power.
- Certain subjects, which concern the nation as a whole, for example, defence or currency, are the responsibility of the union or central government. Regional or local matters are the responsibility of the regional or State government.
- Appropriate division of responsibility at the appropriate level (for example, local sanitation at the PRls level and national defence at the Central level) is called the principle of subsidiarity.
Which of the following strengthens the practice of 'Federalism' in In...
Federalism in India and its Strengthening:
Federalism in India refers to the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States as per the Constitution of India. The Constitution of India provides for a federal system of government, where the powers of governance are divided between the Centre and the States. Some of the features of Federalism in India are:
- Dual government system with separate powers for the Centre and the States.
- Written Constitution that defines the powers of the Central and State Governments.
- An independent judiciary that acts as an arbiter in case of disputes between the Centre and the States.
- The Constitution provides for a division of powers between the Centre and the States through three lists - Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
To strengthen the practice of Federalism in India, the following are two important factors:
1. An independent judiciary:
An independent judiciary acts as an important pillar in strengthening the practice of Federalism in India. The judiciary acts as a neutral arbiter between the Centre and the States in case of any disputes that may arise. The Constitution provides for a Supreme Court and High Courts, which have the power to interpret the Constitution and resolve disputes between the Centre and the States. The judiciary helps in maintaining the balance of power between the Centre and the States, and ensuring that neither the Centre nor the States overstep their constitutional boundaries.
2. Principle of Subsidiarity:
The principle of subsidiarity implies that decisions should be taken at the lowest possible level of government. In the Indian context, this means that decisions should be taken at the State level unless it is necessary for the Centre to intervene. The Constitution provides for a division of powers between the Centre and the States, and the principle of subsidiarity ensures that the States have the power to make decisions in areas that fall under their purview. This helps in decentralizing power and ensuring that decisions are taken keeping in mind the local needs and aspirations of the people.
Thus, both an independent judiciary and the principle of subsidiarity play an important role in strengthening the practice of Federalism in India.