What Makes India a Federal Country? PDF

Some Nepalese citizens were discussing the proposals on the adoption of federalism in their new constitution. This is what some of them said:...

Some Nepalese citizens were discussing the proposals on the adoption of federalism in their new constitution. This is what some of them said: Khag Raj: I don’t like federalism. It would lead to reservation of seats for different caste groups as in India. Sarita: Ours in not a very big country. We don’t need federalism. Babu Lal: I am hopeful that the Terai areas will get more autonomy if they get their own state government. Ram Ganesh: I like federalism because it will mean that powers that were earlier enjoyed by the king will now be exercised by our elected representatives. If you were participating in this conversation, what would be your response to each of these? Which of these reflect a wrong understanding of what federalism is? What makes India a federal country? What makes India a federal country? in the form of Panchayats and We have earlier seen how small Municipalities. As in any federation, countries like Belgium and Sri Lanka these different tiers enjoy separate face so many problems of managing jurisdiction. The Constitution diversity. What about a vast country clearly provided a three-fold like India, with so many languages, distribution of legislative powers religions and regions? What are between the Union Government the power sharing arrangements in and the State Governments. Thus, our country? it contains three lists: Let us begin with the Constitution.  Union List includes subjects India had emerged as an independent of national importance, such as nation after a painful and bloody defence of the country, foreign Isn’t that partition. Soon after Independence, affairs, banking, communications strange? Did several princely states became a part and currency. They are included our constitution of the country. The Constitution in this list because we need a makers not declared India as a Union of States. uniform policy on these matters know about Although it did not use the word throughout the country. The Union federalism? Or federation, the Indian Union is based Government alone can make laws did they wish on the principles of federalism. relating to the subjects mentioned to avoid talking in the Union List. Let us go back to the seven about it?  State List contains subjects features of federalism mentioned D e m o c ra t i c Po l i t i c s above. We can see that all these of State and local importance, features apply to the provisions such as police, trade, commerce, of the Indian Constitution. The agriculture and irrigation. The State Constitution originally provided Governments alone can make laws for a two-tier system of government, relating to the subjects mentioned the Union Government or what in the State List. we call the Central Government,  C o nc ur r ent List includes representing the Union of India subjects of common interest to and the State governments. Later, both the Union Government as a third tier of federalism was added well as the State Governments, such 2024-25 16 Chapter 2.indd 16 08-04-2022 12:30:52