INTERVIEW FOR CSE 2019 All ForumIAS members selected for CSE 2019 Personality Test must submit their details and DAF and register below to receive further instructions and guidance from ForumIAS. Click here to register now
INTERVIEW 2020 CHANNEL ForumIAS Channel for Interview Preparation is now Active! Please join the channel by clicking here
Discuss the major extra constitutional factors influencing the working of federal polity in India. (250 words)
The difficulty of any federalism is that there is no agreed definition of a federal state. India is federal but with of course striking unitary features. The federal polity of India is not just effected by the extra constitutional factors but also other factors. The rise of Planning Commission as a central body with no state representation has made the functioning tough. The states have to depend upon the Planning Commission for its financial needs. The arbitrary imposition of President’s Rule on the States in the past has created a deep distrust between the Centre and States. In today’s political scenario, it is unlikely that such an arbitrary exercise of power by the Union Government would be possible. Rise of regional parties and regionalization of national parties has affected the working of Indian Polity. While dealing with the security issues, it can be observed that there is centralizing influence on the Government. Proposal of the Union Home Ministry to set up a National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) was rejected unilaterally by the state governments stating that the public order and police came under the state list. Even while dealing with external affairs like Bangladesh Land Agreement, which was opposed by the West Bengal govt, Union faced a stiff opposition. With the trend of increasing interlinkages with the world in security, developments and economic concerns, trend of increasing centralization is seen. Though our Constitution has nowhere mentioned that India is a federation but it states that it is a union of states. Looking at the current political paradigm shift, the leaders and bureaucrats at Union will have to accept the change and give up their authoritarian tendencies to ride roughshod over the State Chief Ministers, Ministers and civil servants. They have to come to terms with a federal polity in which the Centre and States are coequal. That would be the new meaning of the term ‘cooperative federalism’.
Presidential power of declaring emergency is not extra-constitutional.u should avoid mentioning it here.
I am going to start the thread with a question from GS-II in mains 2013
Q. Many state governments further bifurcate geographical areas like districts and taluksbfor better governance. In light of the above, can it also be justified that more number of smaller states would bring in effective governance at state level? Discuss.
This is what I wrote: (Or rather something on these lines)
Started with the benefits of decentralization - Grass root democracy. Responsive and more accountable government, More focussed approach, More efficient and effective public service delivery, increased trust of people in the government, Empowerment of people, etc. And for these reasons the states are divided into districts and taluks.
But when it comes to the organization of states - Language, Tribal, Forest and Hill area identities have played a major role; Better governance and development has not been a major factor till now in the reorganization of states. There are many other factors which affect the sustainability and viability apart from the efficacy of governance. Mobilization of resources is the most important factor (Tax base and trade); Public mandate (Identities) - It should not lead to the division of people (Ethnic conflicts). States depend very much on the Union Govt. for funds ... Technology has made geography history and now a geographically large state can be managed as efficiently as a smaller state. etc.
Therefore every demand should be assessed on a case by case basis considering all the above factors: For instance:
Darjeeling can be viable because of: 4 International borders - Trade - A huge development multiplier. Tea estates - Export - International markets - 7 % of total world area - Huge incomes. Hydel power resources (Local, National and International rivers + Transport) and eco tourism. Folk knowledge related IPR.
Further opined that how bifurcation of UP can do a lot of good for governance.
But Vidarbha or Saurashtra may not be viable. (Explained why briefly.) And how further division of NE can destabilize the whole region as most of the demands are overlapping among other factors.
@sameer1989 good answer but 200 words I guess were not written. @LuV avoid redundancy, I have the same problem. smaller states used again and again pg2. No of words >200
Your comments are welcome. Picture quality is not good. If you find it unreadable, I can upload a typed document file.
Hi sameer , nice attempt at the question. I would like to give my views: 1.discuss other parameters too apart from economic development e.g large admin machinery would be required in such cases, smaller states would have less bargaining an negotiating power w.r.t centre etc. 2. You can conclude in a better way by including things like "it is not the size of the state that determines the efficiency of the governance but the political will and the will of admin. As long as this is missing no matter how big or small a state is ,governance would be deficient" .
@andy133 Thanks brother for your suggestions. I will keep this in mind for future writings. @Nasela_Batman Thanks for your comments. My answer have total 195 words. So I think it is not much less because to answer in exact 200 words is less probable.
@andy133 Your assertion that "smaller states would have less bargaining and negotiating power w.r.t centre" may theoretically sound perfect but practically it does not have any effect.
Bihar, MP, Rajasthan, UP - BIMARU states have nearly 40% of the seats in LS. Talking about bargaining with Union government - I don't think they have benefited much because of their clout at the centre and have more to blame themselves for the poor or lackadaisical development.
2. Size does play a role but it is not the only factor - I guess that is what you meant by your second point.
We are a secret self-moderated community for Civil Services preparation. Feel free to join, start a discussion, answer a question or just to say Thank you.Just dont spread the word ;)Sign in or join with Facebook or Google
ForumIAS is India’s leading Online website for UPSC IAS Exam Online Preparation and guidance. At ForumIAS, we have a dream. Our dream is to make its members achieve their IAS dream. Today thousands of aspirants have joined the elite services such as IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other central and state services with the right inputs provided by ForumIAS. Take a look at our IAS Toppers
Free IAS Online Preparation Initiatives by ForumIAS
Current affairs is the most important part of UPSC IAS exam. ForumIAS provides a detailed analysis of important news articles through its 9PM brief. In current affairs reading Editorials Online needs an in-depth focus and hence we provide a separate analysis of daily editorials which is not found in any other website. Click the following link to access these free preparation initiatives in Portal . ForumIAS also provides compilations and Free downloads for UPSC IAS preparation
Knowing is never enough for IAS exam. An IAS aspirant must be engaged in answer writing practice to do well in UPSC IAS Mains Exam. ForumIAS has launched a Mains Marathon initiative for IAS mains Online answer writing. Click here to access UPSC Mains Marathon initiative . For Daily Must Read Newspaper articles, Visit Must Read Newspaper page here. Must Read Newspaper is an Initiative by Team ForumIAS to provide Current Affairs links to the Must Read Articles of The Day from Newspaper.
UPSC Syllabus
The most important part of UPSC IAS exam is its syllabus and there is a need to take an in-depth look at it. Click here to view the UPSC IAS Prelims syllabus. Visit UPSC IAS syllabus page here
UPSC IAS Study Material
ForumIAS is the repository of many toppers’ Online study materials for GS Mains and Optional subjects. The most unique thing about it is that they are handwritten by toppers themselves. Click here for UPSC sample notes
Interview Preparation for IAS
Interview is the last and crucial stage for becoming an IAS officer. How to prepare for it? We provide a solution. ForumIAS is the only online website where quality IAS interview preparations happen. Online Current affairs from an interview perspective are extensively discussed and specific preparation based on candidate’s profile and hobbies can be done. Please visit this link for UPSC Interview Preparation
At ForumIAS we have an exclusive Online page to read the UPSC Interview Transcripts
Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
IFoS is one of the most sought after All India Service. ForumIAS provides the right approach to excel in this exam through their toppers who have shared their success mantras and their study materials in an elaborate manner.
About Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
IAS is considered as one of the best jobs on earth. IAS officers hold the most important positions in Central and State Governments and in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). They also represent India in international organizations. They take the most important decisions in the administration of Government policies and development programs.
About Indian Police Service (IPS)
IPS officers occupy higher positions in the State Police Departments, Central Armed Police Forces and Intelligence Agencies. Their most important responsibilities are maintenance of Law and Order and internal security.
About Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
IFS officers serve as diplomats in international missions and embassies of India around the world and in prominent international organizations like United Nations (UN), World Bank, and IMF. They work to promote India’s interests from a bilateral and a global perspective.
The Study portal is a single point of online IAS preparation through its several initiatives like the Must Read News Articles, the 9 PM Brief, the Mains Marathon. If you are preparing for IAS exam online, ForumIAS is the place to go. ForumIAS is proud of ForumIAS Alumni in UPSC Service who have secured top Ranks in past 5 years.
Visit Us At
ForumIAS - Offline Guidance Centre
ForumIAS Academy, 1st Floor, IAPL House, 19, Pusa Road, Opposite Metro Pillar 95-96, Karol Bagh, New Delhi-110005,
View Google Map Location
Comments
Kindly Excuse the lined sheet as I dont have A4 at my disposal at this time .
You can contribute by answering the relevant question posted by @bharat141 .
Presidential power of declaring emergency is not extra-constitutional.u should avoid mentioning it here.
Started with the benefits of decentralization - Grass root democracy. Responsive and more accountable government, More focussed approach, More efficient and effective public service delivery, increased trust of people in the government, Empowerment of people, etc. And for these reasons the states are divided into districts and taluks.
But when it comes to the organization of states - Language, Tribal, Forest and Hill area identities have played a major role; Better governance and development has not been a major factor till now in the reorganization of states. There are many other factors which affect the sustainability and viability apart from the efficacy of governance. Mobilization of resources is the most important factor (Tax base and trade); Public mandate (Identities) - It should not lead to the division of people (Ethnic conflicts). States depend very much on the Union Govt. for funds ... Technology has made geography history and now a geographically large state can be managed as efficiently as a smaller state. etc.
Therefore every demand should be assessed on a case by case basis considering all the above factors: For instance:
Darjeeling can be viable because of: 4 International borders - Trade - A huge development multiplier. Tea estates - Export - International markets - 7 % of total world area - Huge incomes. Hydel power resources (Local, National and International rivers + Transport) and eco tourism. Folk knowledge related IPR.
Further opined that how bifurcation of UP can do a lot of good for governance.
But Vidarbha or Saurashtra may not be viable. (Explained why briefly.) And how further division of NE can destabilize the whole region as most of the demands are overlapping among other factors.
Thanks for your review bhai.
I'll keep your points in mind .
Actually i knew very little of the topic that question dealt with so i took help of google baba .(I didnt know where else to look for points)
Also is it right way to frame an answer by taking help from net ?If not than can you suggest some.other way ?
1.discuss other parameters too apart from economic development e.g large admin machinery would be required in such cases, smaller states would have less bargaining an negotiating power w.r.t centre etc.
2. You can conclude in a better way by including things like "it is not the size of the state that determines the efficiency of the governance but the political will and the will of admin. As long as this is missing no matter how big or small a state is ,governance would be deficient" .
@Nasela_Batman Thanks for your comments. My answer have total 195 words. So I think it is not much less because to answer in exact 200 words is less probable.
Bihar, MP, Rajasthan, UP - BIMARU states have nearly 40% of the seats in LS. Talking about bargaining with Union government - I don't think they have benefited much because of their clout at the centre and have more to blame themselves for the poor or lackadaisical development.
2. Size does play a role but it is not the only factor - I guess that is what you meant by your second point.
@PoliceWala
@Vibin
@Stardust
Guys please help us out here by reviewing our answers and by contributing your answers too .