Or
Write down four features of the Indian Constitution that gave greater
powers to the Central than the State Govts.
Answers
Explanation:
The four features of the Indian Constitution that give greater power to the Central government than the State governments, are given below:
1. Establishment of a Strong Centre: The Constitution of India establishes a strong Centre. The important 97 subjects have been included in the Union List on which only the Central Parliament is empowered to make laws. There are 47 subjects in the Concurrent List on which Central Parliament as well as the State Legislatures are authorised to make laws, but if there is any conflict between a law of the Centre and a law of a State Legislature on any subject of the Concurrent List, the latter will automatically be void to the extent of conflict. This clearly indicates the stronger position of the Centre. The residuary powers also have been given to the Centre. There are only 66 subjects in the State List on which the State Legislatures can normally frame laws. But when an emergency has been declared in whole or any part. Thereof the Union Parliament can make laws relating to state subjects too.
2. The Emergency Powers of the Centre: The powers of the Centre increases much during emergency. When an emergency is declared because of external aggression, war, internal disturbance or a threat of any one of them, the form of Government will change from the federal to unitary which implies that the Centre will be empowered to exercise the legislative and executive powers of the States. But the State Legislatures and the State Executives will not be dissolved during the emergency.
Similarly, the powers of the Centre will increase during the emergency proclaimed because of the failure of constitutional machinery in a State. The President of India can proclaim emergency in an Indian State, if he is satisfied, on the advice of the Governor or otherwise, that the constitutional machinery in the State has failed to work properly. As a consequence of the emergency he legislative powers of the State will go to the Central Parliament and the executive power will go to the President.
The powers of the Centre increases during the financial emergency also, if the financial emergency is proclaimed by the President. In such circumstances, the Centre will be authorised to issue directions concerning the economy of the States, which will be duly obeyed by them.
3. Appointments of Governors: The Governors of the States are appointed by the President of India. The entire State administration is run in the name of the Governor. The Governor is the head of the State as well as the agent of the Centre. The Governor remains in office on the pleasure of the President. In order to remain in office the Governors are to act in accordance with the wishes of the Central Government.
4. Single Citizenship: Normally, there is double citizenship in a federation just like the USA. But in India, there is a single citizenship i.e. the people of all States equally have only one citizenship i.e. citizens of India. This factor also indicates the trend towards the Unitary Government.