Federalism lesson 2

Q1. How is a federal government different from a unitary form of government? Why are federations
preferred these days?
Or,
Distinguish between the Unitary and Federal systems of government.
Ans. Unitary Government Federal Government
i. It has only one level of government. i. It has two or more levels of government.
ii. The sub-units are subordinate to the center. ii. The central government cannot order the state
government to do something.
Iii. The sub-units are answerable to the central government. iii. The sub-units are not answerable
to the central government. Both are separately answerable to the people.

A federation is preferred because:

It helps in making administration effective and efficient.
It helps to accommodate all diverse groups.

Q2. State the main features of Federalism.

Ans. The main features of Federalism are:
1. There are two or more levels 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 powers and functions of each tier of government are specified and guaranteed by
Constitution.
4. The fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of
government. Such changes require the consent of both levels of government.
5. Sources of revenue between different levels are specified by the Constitution.
6. Courts have the power to acts as an umpire if disputes arise between different levels of
government in the exercise of their respective powers.

Q3. Differentiate between the ‘Coming Together Federation’ and ‘Holding Together Federation’
with examples.
Ans. Coming Together Federation Holding Together Federation
i. 'Coming Together Federations' are formed when independent states come together to form a
bigger state. i. 'Holding Together Federations' are formed when a large country decides to
divide itself into sub-units.
ii. The state governments are strong in comparison to the central government. ii. The central
government is strong in comparison to the state government.
iii. All state governments have equal power. iii. Very often the state governments have
unequal powers.
iv. Example: the USA, Switzerland, and Australia.iv. Example: India, Spain, and Belgium.

Q4. Mention any five main features which make India a federal country.
Ans. The following are the five provisions that make India a federal country:

1. Two or more levels of government: India has three levels of government (Centre, State, and Local
levels).
2. Three lists: The powers are divided between the Centre and the States by three lists – Union list,
State list, and Concurrent list.
3. Rigid Constitution: The fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be unilaterally changed
by one level of government. Such changes require the consent of both levels of government.
4. Financial Autonomy: The revenue sources of both the Centre and States have been clearly defined,
which ensures financial autonomy to both the Centre and the State.
5. Independent Judiciary: The Supreme Court has been given the power to settle disputes between
different levels of government.
Q5. Explain the process of power sharing among different organs of the government in India.
Or,
Describe the three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and
the State Governments. Who can make laws on the subjects which are not covered under these
lists and what name has been given to such subjects?

Ans. The Constitution provided a threefold distribution of legislative powers – Union List, State List, and
Concurrent List. Thus it contains three lists:

1. Union List includes subjects of national importance like foreign affairs, defense, etc. The Union
Government alone can make laws on these subjects.

2. State List contains subjects of state and local importance like police, trade, etc. The State
Government alone can make laws on subjects mentioned in this list.

3. The concurrent List includes subjects of common interest like education, forests, agriculture, etc.
Both the Union and the State Governments can make laws on the subject mentioned in this list. In
case of a dispute, the law made by the Union government will prevail.

The subjects which are not covered under these lists or subjects like computer software that came up
after the constitution was made are called “Residuary subjects”. According to our constitution, the
Union Government has the power to legislate on these subjects

Q6. The creation of linguistic states was the first and the major test of democratic politics in our
country. Justify the statement
Answer: The creation of linguistic states was the first and the major test of democratic politics in our country.
1. After 1947, the boundaries of several old states of India were proposed to be changed to ensure
that people who spoke the same language lived in the same state.
2. Some states like Nagaland ,uttrakhand, were not created on the basis of language but because
of their distinct culture, ethnicity and geography.
3. When the demand for the formation of linguistic states rose, some leaders feared that it would
again lead to disintegration.
4. But when the actual creation of states was done on the basis of language, it so proved that the
country was more united. This process did away with all fears and tension.
Q7. Most federations that are formed by ‘holding together’ do not give equal power to its constituent
units.’ Is it true for India? Explain.
Or
“Holding together federations” do not give equal power to its constituent units. Explain the
statement with the help of examples in context to India.

Answer: Yes, the above statement is true for India.

(i) All states in the Indian Union do not have identical powers. Some states enjoy a special status.
Many provisions of the Indian Constitution are not applicable to this state without the
permission of the state assembly. Indians who are not permanent residents of this state cannot
buy land or house here.
(ii) Similar special provisions exist for Assam and the hill states of North-East India.
(iii) There are some units of 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 areas, like Chandigarh, or Lakshadweep or the capital city of Delhi, are
called the Union Territories. These territories do not have the powers of a state. The central
government has special powers in running these areas.

Q8. Describe in brief the language policy of India.

Answer: (i) No National Language: Our Constitution did not give the status of national language to any
one language. Hindi was identified as the official language.

(ii) Scheduled Languages: Besides Hindi, there are 22 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.

(iii) Spread of Hindi with cautious approach:

According to the Constitution, the use of English for official purposes was to stop in 1965. In Tamil
Nadu(Non hindi speaking states)this movement took a violent form. The Central Government
responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes. 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

Q9. How has the third tier of government in our country been made more effective and powerful by
the Constitutional Amendment of 1992 ?
Or
Explain any four provisions that have been made towards decentralisation in India after the
constitutional amendment in 1992.
Answer: Three tier system :
1. Union Government
2. State Governments
3. Local Governments.
Steps :
1. Now, it is constitutionally compulsory to hold regular elections to the local government bodies.
2. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the
Backward Classes.
3. At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
4. An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each state
to conduct free and fair elections for the panchayat and the municipalities.
5. The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with the Local
government bodies.

Q10. What is decentralisation? What is the importance or need for decentralisation? Explain the
advantages of decentralisation.
Or
Explain any four features of the third tier of government.

Answer: When power is taken away from the Central and State governments, and given to the Local
governments, it is called decentralisation.
1. The basic idea behind decentralisation is that there are a large number of problems and issues which
are best settled at the local level.
2. People have a better knowledge of problems in their localities. They also have better ideas on where
to spend money, and how to manage things more efficiently.

3. At the local level, it is possible for the people to directly participate in decision, making participation.
4. It reduces the burden of the Central or State governments. These can concentrate on matters of national
or state importance in a better way.
5. At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women in all the local bodies. This has lead to women
empowerment.

Q11. a) Gram Panchayat

(b) Panchayat Samiti
(c) Zila Parishad
 (d) Mayor

Answer: (a) It is a council consisting of several ward members, often called the Panch and a president
or a Sarpanch.
(b) A few Gram Panchayats are grouped together to form a Panchayat Samiti or Block or a Mandal.
(c) All the Panchayat Samitis or Mandals in a district together constitute the Zila Parishad.
(d) A Mayor is an elected Chairperson of the Municipal Corporation.

Q12. Which is the highest tier of the Panchayati Raj ? Explain its composition.
Answer: The highest institution of the Panchayati Raj in rural areas is the Zila Parishad. The Zila Parishad
coordinates the activities of all the Block Samitis in the whole district. Most members of the Zila
Parishad are elected. Members of the Lok Sabha and the MLAs of that district along with some other
officials of other district level bodies are also its members. The Zila Parishad’s Chairperson is the
political head of the Zila Parishad.

Q13. What is the importance of judiciary in a federal government?

Answer: 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.

Q14. What is meant by coalition government?

Answer: It is a government formed by the coming together of two or more political parties, usually when no
single party enjoys majority support of the members in a legislature. The partners in a coalition form
a political alliance and adopt a common programme

Q15. Describe in brief the panchayati raj system or Rural local govt.
Answer: Rural local government is popularly known by the name Panchayati raj. In other words, we can say
that panchayati raj system works at three levels
(i) Gram Panchayat at village level: 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.
(ii) Block Samiti at block level: A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form what is
usually called a panchayat samiti or mandal or block. The members of this representative body
are elected by all the panchayat members in that area.
iii) Zila Parishad at district level, it is the body at highest level of the panchayati Raj the panchayati
samiti aur mandal in a district together constitute the jila Parishad.

Q16. Explain two achievements and two difficulties of the Icoal self-governments in India.

Answer: Achievements:
(i) It has made the country more united and stronger.
(ii) It has also made the administration easier.
Difficulties:
(i) There is a shortage of resources.
(ii) Elections are not held regularly.

Q17. What are the functions of Gram Sabha?

Ans. a) Gram Sabha meets at least quarter of the year.

b) It decides the development work which is to be carried out by the Panchayat.
c) It suggests remedial measures for economy and efficiency in the functioning of the panchayat.
d) It questions and examines the decision of the panchayat in the meeting of Gram Sabha.

Q18. Explain the working of rural local government.

Ans. a) Under the three tier system of decentralization, Zila Parishad is the apex body at the district level.
b) It is followed by panchayat samities at the block level and gram panchayat at village level.
c) Each village has gram panchayat whose members are elected by the entire adult population of that village.
d) A few gram panchayat are joined together to form a block samiti.
e) All the panchayat samities in a district collectively make a Zila parishad

Q19. Describe the Restructuring centre-state relations in Indian Federalism?

Answer : Challenges before 1990:
(i) Political scene was dominated by one party both at the Centre and in the States.
(ii) As and when the ruling party at the state level was different the parties that ruled at the Centre
tried to undermine the power of the States.
(iii) The Central Government would often misuse the constitution to dismiss the State Government
that were controlled by rival parties.

After 1990:
(i) Now the Centre and majority of State Governments belong to different political parties in
coalition.
(ii) A number of regional parties have become powerful and play a crucial role at the Centre and
States.
(iii) The era of "coalition" government at the Centre has inculcated respect for federal autonomy.