GS2 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Federation of India | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation of India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer. (UPSC GS2 Mains)

Federalism essentially means both the Centre and states have the freedom to operate in their allotted spheres of power, in coordination with each other. India is a federal system but with more tilt towards a unitary system of government. So it is sometimes considered as quasi-federal system. The nature of federalism kept changing since Independence, there exists cooperation, competition and confrontation between the federal units in India. Cooperation In cooperative federalism both Centre-State and State-State shares a horizontal relationship and cooperate in the larger public interest. Cooperation federalism has emerged as one of the principle in Indian federalism. 

• Centre - States Cooperation during COVID Pandemic and solving migrant crisis shows cooperation between Centre and states. 
• Establishment of NITI Aayog redefined the relationship between Centre and States. It enables states’ participation in the formulation and implementation of national policies. 
• Acceptance of 14th finance commission’s recommendation, which significantly enhanced devolution of finances from 32% to 42% shows the cooperation between Centre and States 
• Cooperation on implementation of various central sector schemes and centrally sponsored schemes. 
• Implementation of Goods and Services Tax where the states have given up a significant part of taxation powers shows the cooperation between Centre and states. 
• Constitution bodies like Inter-State councils (Article 263) fosters cooperation. State - State 
• Statutory bodies like Zonal Councils are established to promote interstate cooperation and coordination. It aims to establish a climate of cooperation among the states for successful and speedy execution of development projects. 
• States like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh are coordinating and cooperating on the issues of Naxalism. Competition Competition between states emerged because states are competing among themselves to attract funds and investments, to get funds from Centre and incentives from Finance commission on the basis of performance on various indicators. The idea of Competitive federalism gained significance post economic reforms of 1991. State - State
• NITI Aayog played an important role in promoting competitive federalism- ranking states on various socio-economic parameters – Health Index- Healthy States, Progressive India Report – School Education Quality Index – SDG Index – Transformation of Aspirational DistrictState wise Ease of Doing Business ranking helps to build a sense of competition among states to attract investments. 
• Swachh Bharat Ranking Systems 
• Investment Summits to attract investments To resolve the regional imbalance and inequalities between the states, competitive federalism has become an efficient tool to enhance the socio-economic development of individual states Confrontation Till 1967 after the independence there was hardly any confrontation between the federal units as there was a single party at the Centre and the states. But after 1967 there exists a massive confrontation between Centre - States and States-States Centre-States 
• Imposition of Presidents rule on the states. Misuse of Article 356 for political reasons. 
• Misuse of discretionary powers by Governor. 
• Encroachment by the Centre on the state list. For example recent Farm acts encroach upon the state list because agriculture and markets are state subjects 
• GST Compensation to States - refusal GoI of its legal commitment to compensate GST shortfall on account of lower revenue. 
• In 2019 Kerala has challenged Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 in Supreme Court - shows confrontation between Centre and states. 
• Imposition of Hindi Language on Southern States. States like Tamilnadu has consistently agitated on this matter. 
• States - States Inter-State River water sharing disputes. For example Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamilnadu, Mahanadi River dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh 
• Border disputes between states. For example Belgaum border dispute between State of Karnataka and Maharashtra. 

Conclusion 
To resolve the confrontation issues, there is a urgent need to implement the recommendation of Sarkaria and Punchi Commission in letter and Spirit. A diverse and large country like India requires a proper balance between the federal units which will help in realizing various socio-economic developmental goals.

Topics covered - Federalism in India, Cooperative Federalism, GST