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Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Vertical division of power among different levels of government is one of the major forms of power sharing in modern democracies. We will try to connect the topic - ‘Federalism’ in Indian context. Connect with the previous chapter Federalism Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● What is federalism? ● What makes India a federal country? ● How is federalism practised? ■ Linguistic States ■ Language policy ■ Centre-State relations ● Decentralisation in India What we are going to study in this chapter? Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation and ● Belgium shifted from a unitary to a federal form of government. ● Sri Lanka continues to be, for all practical purposes, a unitary system where the national government has all the powers. What is Federalism? Belgium Sri Lanka Recall and Analyse Federalism Unitary System Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country. ● Usually, a federation has two levels of government. ● One is the government for the entire country that is usually responsible for a few subjects of common national interest. ● The others are governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much of the day-to-day administering of their state. ● Both these levels of governments enjoy their power independent of the other. Federalism Unitary System ● Federations are contrasted with unitary governments. ● Under the unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government. ● The central government can pass on orders to the provincial or the local government. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation 1. There are two or more levels (or tiers) of government. 2. Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own Jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration. 3. The jurisdictions of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in the constitution. So the existence and authority of each tier of government is constitutionally guaranteed. 4. The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of government. 5. Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of government. The highest court acts as an umpire if disputes arise between different levels of government in the exercise of their respective powers. 6. Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy. Key feature of Federalism Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation 7. The federal system thus has dual objectives - i. To safeguard and promote unity of the country. ii. Accommodate regional diversity. ● Two aspects are crucial for the institutions and practice of federalism. ➢ Governments at different levels should agree to some rules of power-sharing. ➢ They should also trust that each would abide by its part of the agreement. Mutual trust and agreement to live together. Ideal Federal System Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation There are two kinds of routes through which federations have been formed. The exact balance of power between the central and the state government varies from one federation to another. Coming together federations Holding together federations ● Involves independent States coming together on their own to form a bigger unit, so that by pooling sovereignty and retaining identity they can increase their security. ● USA, Switzerland and Australia. ● All the constituent States usually have equal power and are strong vis-Ã -vis the federal government. ● A large country decides to divide its power between the constituent States and the national government. ● India, Spain and Belgium are examples. ● the central government tends to be more powerful vis-Ã -vis the States. ● Very often different constituent units of the federation have unequal powers. Some units are granted special powers. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Do these features apply to the provisions of Indian constitution? What makes India a Federal Country? Try to understand the topic The Constitution declared India as a Union of States. Although it did not use the word federation, the Indian Union is based on the principles of federalism. Features of federalism Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation 1. The Constitution originally provided for a two-tier system of government, the Union Government or what we call the Central Government, representing the Union of India and the State governments. Later, a third tier of federalism was added in the form of Panchayats and Municipalities. 2. Each tier of government has its own jurisdiction, specified in constitution. The Constitution clearly provided a threefold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and the State Governments. What makes a India a Federal Country? Union list State list Concurrent list Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency. ● They are included in this list because we need a uniform policy on these matters throughout the country. ● The Union Government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the Union List. ● Contains subjects of State and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation. ● The State Governments alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the state list. Union list State list Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Includes subjects of common interest to both the Union government as well as the State government, such as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession. ● Both the Union as well as the State Governments can make laws on the subjects mentioned in this list. ● If their laws conflict with each other, the law made by the Union Government will prevail. All those subjects which do not fall in any of the list and came up after the constitution was made. Example : Computer Software :Only central government can make laws on them. Concurrent list Question 3. Residuary Subjects Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Do not give equal power to its constituent units. ● All States in the Indian Union do not have identical powers. ● Some States enjoy a special status. 3. Holding together federation Explain ● Earlier Jammu and kashmir had its own constitution. ● Article 371 gives many special powers to some of the states. E.g - States In North East Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Concept of Union territory ● Units of the Indian Union which enjoy very little power. ● These are areas which are too small to become an independent State but which could not be merged with any of the existing States. ● These territories do not have the powers of a State. ● The Central Government has special powers in running these areas. Example: Chandigarh, Lakshadweep and Delhi. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Basic to the structure of the Constitution. ● It is not easy to make changes to this power sharing arrangement. ● The Parliament cannot on its own change this arrangement. ● Any change to it has to be first passed by both the Houses of Parliament with at least two-thirds majority. ● Then it has to be ratified by the legislatures of at least half of the total States. Power Sharing 4. The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of government. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation 5. The judiciary plays an important role in overseeing the implementation of constitutional provisions and procedures. In case of any dispute about the division of powers, the High Courts and the Supreme Court make a decision. 6. The Union and State governments have the power to raise resources by levying taxes in order to carry on the government and the responsibilities assigned to each of them. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Constitutional provisions are necessary for the success of federalism but these are not sufficient. ● The real success of federalism in India can be attributed to the nature of democratic politics in our country. How is Federalism Practised? Federalism V/S Success of federalism Explain Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation People who spoke the same language lived in the same State. The creation of linguistic states was the first and a major test for democratic politics in our country. 1. Linguistic States Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Some States were created not on the basis of language but to recognise differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography. ● These include States like Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand. Creation of linguistic states Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Some national leaders feared Creation of linguistic state would lead to the disintegration of the country. ∴ The Central Government resisted linguistic States for some time. ● But the experience has shown that the formation of linguistic states has actually made the country, more united. ● It has also made administration easier. Outcome Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Our Constitution did not give the status of national language to any one language. Is Hindi our national language? ● Hindi was identified as the official language. ● Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognised as Scheduled Languages by the Constitution. ● A candidate in an examination conducted for the Central Government positions may opt to take the examination in any of these languages. ● States too have their own official languages. 2. Language Policy Connect with federalism Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● The leaders of our country adopted a very cautious attitude in spreading the use of Hindi. According to the Constitution, the use of English for official purposes was to stop in 1965. ● Many non Hindi speaking States demanded that the use of English continue. ● In Tamil Nadu, this movement took a violent form. ● The Central Government responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes. Hindi V/S English Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Promotion of Hindi continues to be the official policy of the Government of India. Promotion does not mean that the Central Government can impose Hindi on States where people speak a different language. Accommodative promotion of Hindi Right OR Wrong The flexibility shown by Indian political leaders helped our country avoid the kind of situation that Sri Lanka finds itself in. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Influences the practice of federalism in the country. Centre - State relations and federalism 3. Centre State Policy Constitutional arrangements for sharing power work in reality depends to a large extent on how the ruling parties and leaders follow these arrangements. Before 1990s After 1990s Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Center - State Relations After 1990s Center - State Relations Before 1990s Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Centre - State relations and federalism Before 1990s After 1990s ● The same party ruled both at the Centre and in most of the States. ● This meant that the State governments did not exercise their rights as autonomous federal units. ● The Central Government would often misuse the Constitution to dismiss the State governments that were controlled by rival parties. ● This undermined the spirit of federalism. ● This period saw the rise of regional political parties in many States of the country. ● This was also the beginning of the era of Coalition Government at the Centre. ● Since no single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the major national parties had to enter into an alliance with many parties including several regional parties to form a government at the Centre. ● This led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of State Governments. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Two or more than two tiers of governments. Federal power sharing in India needs another tier of government, below that of the State governments. When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to local government. Decentralisation in India Federal System Decentralisation Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● There are a large number of problems and issues which are best settled at the local level. ● People have better knowledge of problems in their localities. ● They also have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage things more efficiently. ● At the local level it is possible for the people to directly participate in decision making. ● This helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation. The rationale behind decentralisation Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● There were several attempts to decentralise power. Not very much successful ● Panchayat and municipalities were set up in all the states but these were directly under the control of state governments. ● Elections to these local governments were not held regularly. ● Local governments did not have any powers or resources of their own. ● Thus, there was very little decentralisation in effective terms. Why? Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ➔ A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. ● Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. ● Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. ● At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women. ● An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections. ● The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from State to State. Constitutional Amendment (73rd and 74th) Why? Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Local self government Rural local government OR Panchayati Raj Urban local government OR Municipalities Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● Each village, or a group of villages in some States, has a gram panchayat. ● This is a council consisting of several ward members, often called panch, and a president or sarpanch. ● They are directly elected by all the adult population living in that ward or village. ● It is the decision-making body for the entire village. ● The panchayat works under the overall supervision of the gram sabha. Gram sabha is a body consisting of all adult voters in a gram panchayat. Rural local government Gram Panchayat It has to meet at least twice or thrice in a year to approve the annual budget of the gram panchayat and to review the performance of the gram panchayat. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● All the panchayat samitis or mandals in a district together constitute the zilla (district) parishad. ● Most members of the zilla parishad are elected. ● Members of the Lok Sabha and MLAs of that district and some other officials of other district level bodies are also its members. ● Zilla parishad chairperson is the political head of the zilla parishad. Structure of rural local government Gram Panchayat Panchayat Samiti/Block/Mandal Zila Parishad ● A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form what is usually called a panchayat samiti or block or mandal. ● The members of this representative body are elected by all the panchayat members in that area. Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation Local government bodies for urban areas. ● Municipalities are set up in towns. ● Big cities are constituted into Municipal Corporations. ● Both municipalities and municipal corporations are controlled by elected bodies consisting of people’s representatives. ● Municipal chairperson is the political head of the municipality. ● In a municipal corporation such an officer is called the Mayor. Urban local government Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats and municipalities etc., all over the country. ● Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country. ● It has also increased women’s representation and voice in our democracy. Local self government Achievement Challenges Class 10th - Civics - Federalism - Full Chapter Explanation ● While elections are held regularly and enthusiastically, gram sabhas are not held regularly. ● Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to the local governments. ● Nor have they given adequate resources. ● We are thus still a long way from realising the ideal of self-government. Challenges
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