HPAS 2025 GS2 Question 12

HPAS 2025 Mains GS-2 Question 12

Explain the major irritants in Centre-State relations in India.

Solution:

Indian federalism is often described as “quasi-federal” or “federal with a unitary bias.” This structural design, while necessary for national integrity, has led to several persistent “irritants” that create friction between the Union and the States, especially in the era of multi-party politics.

1. Role of the Governor

The office of the Governor is perhaps the most significant point of contention:

• Partisan Appointments: Critics argue that Governors often act as agents of the ruling party at the Centre rather than as impartial constitutional heads.
• Legislative Interference: Using Article 200 to sit on Bills indefinitely or reserving them for the President is a major grievance (e.g., recent tensions in Tamil Nadu and Kerala).
• Government Formation: Discretionary powers in inviting parties to form government or recommending President’s Rule (Article 356) have been historically misused.

2. Financial Tensions

States often complain about their limited revenue-raising powers compared to their vast developmental responsibilities:

• Vertical Imbalance: Disagreements over the share of divisible pool taxes (recommendations of the Finance Commission).
• GST Issues: Delays in GST compensation and the limited autonomy of states to alter tax rates under the GST regime.
• Cesses and Surcharges: The Centre’s increasing reliance on cesses (which are not shared with States) reduces the effective share of States in central revenue.

3. Administrative and Legislative Friction

• Deployment of Central Forces: The Centre’s power to deploy paramilitary forces in states without their consent for maintaining public order.
• Encroachment on State List: Passing central laws on subjects like Agriculture (e.g., the repealed Farm Laws) or Education (NEP) is seen as an erosion of the Seventh Schedule.
• Central Agencies: The alleged misuse of the CBI, ED, and IT Department against regional political leaders has become a frequent flashpoint.

The Sarkaria Commission (1983) and the Punchhi Commission (2007) were established specifically to address these irritants, yet many of their recommendations on “Cooperative Federalism” remain unfulfilled.

Concise Model Answer (150-Word Limit)

The major irritants in Centre-State relations stem from the constitutional “unitary bias” and political friction. Key issues include:

1. Office of the Governor: Misuse of discretionary powers in government formation, recommending Article 356, and causing indefinite delays in granting assent to state Bills (Article 200).
2. Financial Imbalance: Heavy dependence of States on the Centre for grants-in-aid, disputes over the **GST compensation cess**, and the exclusion of cesses/surcharges from the divisible pool.
3. Legislative Overreach: Central laws on State List subjects (Seventh Schedule) and the role of the All-India Services often lead to administrative clashes.
4. Central Agencies: Alleged politicization of investigative agencies (CBI, ED) in states ruled by opposition parties.

Addressing these requires implementing the Punchhi Commission recommendations to move from “Confrontational” to “Cooperative Federalism,” ensuring the Inter-State Council becomes a robust platform for dispute resolution.