Inter State Council Revival and Cooperative Federalism in India
Source:Indian Express ↗
આ શા માટે મહત્વનું છે
The article addresses core GS2 themes concerning Centre-State relations, cooperative federalism, and the constitutional mandate of bodies like the Inter-State Council, which are frequently tested in UPSC Mains examinations.
સારાંશ
Shashi Tharoor discusses the state of Indian federalism, emphasizing the urgent need to revive the Inter-State Council under Article 263. The piece highlights structural tensions between the Centre and states and argues that collaborative institutions are vital to safeguard India's diverse and democratic federal framework.
મુખ્ય મુદ્દા
- Shashi Tharoor argues for the revival and strengthening of the Inter-State Council under Article 263 to foster true cooperative federalism in India.
- The article highlights growing frictions between the Union government and opposition-ruled states regarding financial devolution, legislative overreach, and unilateral policy implementations.
- Reviving institutional mechanisms like the Inter-State Council can act as a formal forum for dispute resolution, consensus building, and reducing political polarization in Centre-State relations.
- Cooperative federalism requires not just financial cooperation but structural platforms where states have a meaningful voice in national policymaking.
મહત્વપૂર્ણ શબ્દો
Article 263
A constitutional provision empowering the President to establish a council to inquire into inter-state disputes, discuss subjects of common interest, and make recommendations for better policy coordination between the Centre and states.
UPSC context
UPSC GS Paper II: Important constitutional provisions, federal structure, and Centre-State relations.
Inter-State Council
A constitutional body established under Article 263 to facilitate coordination, debate, and consensus-building on policies of mutual interest between the Union and the state governments.
UPSC context
UPSC GS Paper II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, cooperative federalism, and institutional mechanisms.
Constitution of India
The foundational legal document of India that outlines the framework of governance, fundamental rights, directive principles, and the federal distribution of powers between the Centre and states.
UPSC context
UPSC GS Paper II: Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, and basic structure.
પ્રિલિમ્સ ટ્રેપ
The Inter-State Council is a statutory body established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Aspirants often confuse the Inter-State Council (a constitutional body under Article 263) with statutory Zonal Councils created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
સંલગ્ન સ્થિર ખ્યાલો
What are the constitutional provisions and advisory mandate of the Inter-State Council under Article 263?
- Constitutional Basis: Article 263 empowers the President to establish a council if it appears that public interests would be served by it.
- Advisory Mandate: It is a purely advisory body charged with inquiring into disputes, investigating subjects of common interest, and making recommendations.
- Composition: Chaired by the Prime Minister, it includes Chief Ministers of all states and Union Territories with legislatures, plus six Union Cabinet ministers.
- Historical Origin: Established in 1990 upon the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission to strengthen cooperative federalism.
આંતર-વિષય પેટર્ન
Inter-State Council + Fiscal Devolution Trends
Centre-state fiscal disputes mirror the broader debate on fiscal federalism, terms of the Finance Commission, and Cess-Surcharge collections bypassing divisible pools.
Cooperative Federalism + Governor's Role in Legislation
Federal tensions over legislative overreach in Concurrent List subjects tie directly into judicial reviews on governor discretion and gubernatorial delays.
Article 263 advisory nature vs mandatory Zonal Councils will likely feature in a statement-based polity question.
સંલગ્ન PYQ · 2
સંલગ્ન PYQ · 2
- 2024MainsGS2
What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations ? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.
- 2015MainsGS2
The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.
