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Chennai Conclave Revives Federalism Debate, Calls for Reforms

Syllabus:

GS-2:

FederalismCo-operative FederalismSeparation of PowersCentre-State RelationsInter-State Relations

Focus:

The Chennai Conclave, convened by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, highlighted concerns over growing centralization in India’s governance. It opposed the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats for northern states and called for a balanced Union-state relationship, sparking discussions on federalism, regional representation, and constitutional governance.

Historical Context of Union-State Relations:

The Concept of the Centre and Federalism

• NT Rama Rao, founder of the Telugu Desam Party, called the “Centre” a conceptual myth, opposing New Delhi’s centralization of power.
• His dismissal as Andhra Pradesh CM in 1984 by Indira Gandhi led to nationwide protests, forcing his reinstatement.
• The issue of Union-state relations has persisted, with states often feeling sidelined in national decision-making.

Previous Commissions on Centre-State Relations

• Justice P.V. Rajamannar Committee (1969) was the first to examine Centre-state relations.
• Justice R.S. Sarkaria Commission (1980) focused on the role of Governors, an institution often misused by successive governments.
• Need for a new commission to review past recommendations and assess the impact of recent federal decisions.

Understanding Federalism in India:

Nature of Indian Federalism

• K.C. Wheare described India’s federal structure as quasi-federal rather than purely federal.
• The Supreme Court (SC) ruling in Sat Pal v. State of Punjab & Ors (1969) stated that the Indian Constitution is more quasi-federal than federal or unitary.

Constitutional Provisions on Federalism

• The legislative powers of the Centre and States are outlined in Articles 245 to 254 of the Indian Constitution.
• Seventh Schedule of the Constitution divides legislative powers into three lists:
• Union List (98 subjects) – Parliament has exclusive legislative authority.
• State List (59 subjects) – States have independent legislative powers.
• Concurrent List (52 subjects) – Both Centre and States can legislate, but in case of conflict, Parliament’s law prevails (Article 254).

Absolute Power of State in Certain Matters

• Doctrine of Pith and Substance determines legislative authority in case of overlap.
• In State of Bombay vs. F.N. Balsara (1951), SC ruled that if a law falls exclusively under the State List, it prevails over Union or Concurrent List laws.

The Chennai Conclave and Its Political Implications:

Limited Agenda and Absence of Key Leaders

• The Chennai conclave, convened by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, focused on opposing the BJP’s proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats for populous northern states.
• Notable absentees: Chandrababu Naidu and Mamata Banerjee, despite their historical advocacy for stronger states’ rights.

Need to Expand the Agenda

• The conclave should address broader concerns beyond parliamentary seat distribution, including:
  • Strengthening state autonomy.
  • Restoring a more balanced Union-state relationship.
  • Ensuring fair financial devolution and governance structures.

The Federal Debate: North vs. South Divide:

Disproportionate Representation and the Uttar Pradesh Question

• One emerging demand: No single state should have more than 10% of Lok Sabha seats.
• To address the imbalance, a proposal to divide Uttar Pradesh into two separate states has been frequently raised.

South India’s Persistent Grievances

• Calls for stronger federalism have primarily come from southern states, reflecting a political and cultural divide from the Hindi heartland.
• Even with a PM and Home Minister from Gujarat, southern states feel underrepresented in national politics.
• The marginalization of PV Narasimha Rao, a Prime Minister from the South, is an example of this regional bias.

Structural Reforms in Legislative Representation:

Expanding State Legislatures Instead of Increasing Lok Sabha Seats

• T. Rama Rao (BRS leader) suggested increasing state legislature seats rather than Lok Sabha representation.
• If better representation is the goal, it should start at the state level, where governments directly handle local governance.

Empowering Local Governance Institutions

• Political parties must strengthen panchayats and municipal bodies, as constitutional provisions exist for local governance.
• Many states have not fully empowered local self-government institutions, despite constitutional mandates.

Broader Implications and the Need for a New Framework:

Ideological and Constitutional Debates on Federalism

• The Hindutva ideology increasingly projects India as a civilizational entity, challenging the constitutional notion of a republic with states having defined rights.
• The Constitution defines India as a “Union of States”, but successive governments have centralized power, weakening federal principles.

The Way Forward: A New Commission for Federal Reforms

• The Chennai conclave should initiate a high-powered committee, chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, to:
  • Re-evaluate Rajamannar and Sarkaria Commission recommendations.
  • Address new challenges like delimitation and linguistic representation.
  • Propose measures to restore federal balance in governance.

Conclusion:

The Chennai Conclave has brought much-needed attention to the issue of Union-state relations, but its agenda needs to expand beyond parliamentary representation. The structural imbalances in federalism, the over-centralization of power, and regional disparities must be addressed through comprehensive reforms. To truly empower states, a new commission should be established, and the next conclave in Hyderabad should take these discussions forward in a structured manner.

Source: IE

Mains Practice Question :

Discuss the significance of Union-state relations in India’s federal structure. How can regional disparities in political representation and governance be addressed to ensure a more balanced federalism? Suggest measures to strengthen state autonomy while maintaining national unity.